Ever wondered how Seattle came to own most of a river for its drinking water? What were Seattlites up to during the Civil War? Has this town has ever had any fashion sense? 

MOHAI has you covered with History Cafe talks on local history, both popular and obscure. Each conversation features a different topic, and invites Seattleites to come together and share knowledge. 

History Cafe is co-presented with MOHAI and HistoryLink.org.

History Café

Rainy Day History

History Café: The Important Connections Between Health and Homelessness

Program date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Program location: Online

Learn about the history of health and homelessness in Seattle as author, nurse, and public health researcher Josephine Ensign shares information from her new book, Skid Road: On the Frontier of Health and Homelessness in an American City. 

Ensign uses narrative history to increase the diversity of voices heard within contemporary healthcare and public policy debates.

History Café is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

Photo: Josephine Ensign

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As a catalyst for relevant community conversation, MOHAI’s public programs include a diverse range of speakers and perspectives related to life in our region, past and present. In presenting this program MOHAI does not endorse or advocate any specific policies represented by the speakers, their organizations, or the co-presenters.

History Café: The Important Connections Between Health and Homelessness

History Café: Filipino American Labor Activism in the Fields and Canneries 

Program date: April 21, 2021
Program location: Online

Filipino migrant workers on the west coast of the United States have a long tradition of labor activism in the fields of California and the seafood canneries of Alaska. The harrowing stories of survival and determination are the legacy of this generation of Filipino Manongs.

Join Richard Gurtiza and Rey Pascua as they share how famed Filipino labor activists Carlos Bulosan, Larry Itliong, Phillip Veracruz, and Chris Mansalvas overcame government and social injustice to create a progressive workers movement in the fields and canneries.

History Café is produced as a partnership between MOHAI and HistoryLink.

As a catalyst for relevant community conversation, MOHAI’s public programs include a diverse range of speakers and perspectives related to life in our region, past and present. In presenting this program MOHAI does not endorse or advocate any specific policies represented by the speakers, their organizations, or the co-presenters.

History Café: Filipino American Labor Activism in the Fields and Canneries

History Café: How Railroads Brought a Checkerboard Landscape to the Northwest

Program date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Program location: Online

How did Northwest land end up in a checkerboard of land use?

Grants to the Northern Pacific Railroad in the 19th century set up a pattern of public and private lands that placed homesteads, towns, tree farms, and federal forest reserves intermingled with each other, all defined by railroad tracks.

Join Charlie Raines, Director of the Sierra Club Cascade Checkerboard Project, as he shares newly created maps that show the pattern from Puget Sound to the Columbia River as it evolved over 150 years.

History Café is produced as a partnership between MOHAI and HistoryLink. 

Photo: Charles Raines

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As a catalyst for relevant community conversation, MOHAI’s public programs include a diverse range of speakers and perspectives related to life in our region, past and present. In presenting this program MOHAI does not endorse or advocate any specific policies represented by the speakers, their organizations, or the co-presenters.

History Café: How Railroads Brought a Checkerboard Landscape to the Northwest

History Café: Revisiting Initiative 13 And LGBT Activism In The 70s

Program date: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Program location: Online

Initiative 13, sponsored by Save Our Moral Ethics, sought to repeal Seattle’s ordinances protecting gay and lesbian employment and housing rights and to abolish the Office of Women's Rights.

In 1978, a broad coalition of organizations employed varied media strategies to convince voters to reject the measure. The story of grassroots organizations Seattle Committee Against Thirteen (SCAT) and Women Against Thirteen (WAT) and their outreach gives a view into the creative tensions inherent in organizing. Join organizers from the campaign to learn and see lessons that can be applied today.

Co-presented by MOHAI and the Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Project. History Café is produced as a partnership between MOHAI and HistoryLink.

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As a catalyst for relevant community conversation, MOHAI’s public programs include a diverse range of speakers and perspectives related to life in our region, past and present. In presenting this program MOHAI does not endorse or advocate any specific policies represented by the speakers, their organizations, or the co-presenters.

History Café: Revisiting Initiative 13 And LGBT Activism In The 70s

Walk down many streets in Seattle, and you are likely to discover a George Tsutakawa fountain sculpture. An internationally-renowned Japanese American sculptor, Tsutakawa drew from his observations of nature to create the bronze masterpieces that are now integral to our urban landscape.

WWII

Studio Home

Introduction

Early Years

Concept Of Obos

Art Training

Program Date: June 21, 2023
View or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/3Ny6zaX
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Danni Askini and Elayne Wylie of Gender Justice League ( @GenderJusticeLeague ) sat for a discussion on transgender and gender diverse activism in Washington State. The organization’s work has included fighting for increased access to gender-affirming care, creating community through Trans Pride Seattle, and more. Learn about our region’s role in the expansion of rights and safety for trans and gender diverse people nationally and historically.

To learn more about the Gender Justice League, visit https://www.genderjusticeleague.org/

History Café is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

History Café:  A Decade Of Gender Justice

Program Date: September 20, 2023
View or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/4amZgxt
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Primary documents and artifacts are the building blocks for constructing historical narratives. However, the collections that house them have gaps mirroring the biases of society and curatorial practices. Whose stories are deemed significant and why? How can these omissions be addressed? Listen as curators, collections managers, and researchers discuss building equitable history from the stacks.

This event was held in partnership with the Black Heritage Society of Washington State. The History Café series is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

History Café: Building More Inclusive Community Collections

Program Date: May 17, 2023
View or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/3OMXInZ
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Listen as Eric Wagner and Sandi Doughton present about how scientists and journalists tell the stories of natural disasters and what that can mean for the communities impacted by those disruptive events.

History Café is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

History Café: Tales From The Mountain

Program Date: October 18, 2023
View or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/3Q9DSCp
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Listen to Surge Reproductive Justice organizers lead a conversation about reproductive justice. Learn about the concept, and what makes it a critical framework for protecting the collective health of our communities. 

History Café is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

Featured speakers: Elle Jennings, Senait Brown, Andi Garcia Brown

History Café  Bodily Autonomy And Reproductive Justice Edited Audio

Program Date: May 29, 2024
View or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/3KCIhLU
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The University of Washington is home to one of the earliest Black Student Unions in the country. Listen to Professor Marc Arsell Robinson to learn about the strategies for cross-cultural organizing that led to the Black Student Union's success and how this can be applied to liberation struggles today. 

To dive deeper into this topic, check out Professor Robinson's latest book, "Washington State Rising: Black Power on Campus in the Pacific Northwest." https://bit.ly/458GwiY

MOHAI’s annual Denny Lecture presents the very best in regional historical scholarship.

Denny Lecture: Black Power and Solidarity on Campus and Beyond

Program Date: June 18, 2024
To view the presentation slides: https://bit.ly/3VV9hwz
To view or download the transcript: https://adobe.ly/3YaKFkW
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Founded in 1987, the People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) is one of the nation’s first HIV/AIDS organizations centering communities of color. Today, almost 40 years later, POCAAN has grown to house 13 programs addressing how substance misuse, incarceration, homelessness, sexually transmitted diseases, racism, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia contribute to community marginalization and health disparities. Listen to the POCAAN team discuss the organization's past, present, and future.

History Café: People of Color Against AIDS Network

As a prelude to its "The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop" exhibit, MOHAI monthly series History Café, welcomes Dr. Daudi Abe, a professor, writer and historian who has taught classes on culture, race, gender, communication, education, hip-hop and sports. His upcoming book is titled "Emerald Street: A History of Hip-Hop in Seattle 1979-2015." Dr. Daudi Abe speaks about the Seattle Hip-Hop community, from Seattle's champion break dance crew, to highly collaborative and diverse performers and DeeJays. 

Dr. Abe's book, "6 'N the Morning: West Coast Hip-Hop Music 1987-1992 & the Transformation of Mainstream Culture" is available at the MOHAI Store.

History Café: The Legacy of Seattle Hip Hop

True Northwest: The Seattle Journey explores some of the trials and tribulations of Seattle on its long and bumpy journey from wilderness to world city.
The 13 artifacts and stories highlighted in this audio tour were selected by MOHAI's public historian, Dr. Lorraine McConaghy. 

World War II Rivet Gun

"Iron Chink" Salmon Butchering Machine

Glue Pot

A panel of Seattle artists discuss their experiences as queer trans people of color (QTPOC) and the representation and visibility of QTPOC in media, history, activism, and the art world.

The discussion was moderated by DJ SassyBlack of Cat of THEESatisfaction. Panelists included RC Brown, artist/musician/DJ, activist, and community organizer; Storme Webber, a Two-Spirit, Aleut/Black/Choctaw writer, interdisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and cultural producer; Lulu Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter (aka Lulu), a cultural worker and producer.

History Café: Living & Creating: Queer People of Color Artistry Explored

MOHAI Fashion Lecture: Seattle Fashion in Boom Times

Program date: September 12, 2018
Location: MOHAI

The Klondike Gold Rush reshaped Seattle, including its fledgling clothing and retail industry. Today, Seattle is booming again. How is the tech industry changing and influencing fashion—and what parallels might there be in the city’s past?

Explore this tale of two Gold Rushes with MOHAI’s Clothing and Textile Specialist, Clara Berg.

2018 Fashion Lecture: Seattle Fashion in Boom Times

Welcome to&nbsp;Rainy Day History, a podcast by the MOHAI Youth Advisors! Seattle is famous for its coffee beans and digital machines, but it hasn’t always been that way. We’re diving into history to uncover what it means to be a Seattleite both in the past and the present. This isn’t your everyday museum podcast—it’s completely teen-researched, written, and produced! New episodes will be released every other week this fall.&nbsp;

Rainy Day History - Trailer

MOHAI Fashion Lecture: Secrets of Seattle Style

Program date: September 10, 2019
Location: MOHAI

Hear about the process of creating MOHAI’s landmark exhibit, Seattle Style: Fashion/Function, and dive deeper into the exciting stories and themes the exhibit reveals.

Learn from exhibit curator, Clara Berg, about her favorite discoveries during the planning process and explore compelling historical tidbits from key stories featured in the exhibit.

2019 MOHAI Fashion Lecture: Secrets of Seattle Style

The city of Seattle, as it is now known, has been the home of the Duwamish people since time immemorial. The relationship between the city and the Duwamish is long and complicated—too long for a single episode. In this episode we explore a single artifact: the cane of Kikisoblu, the daughter of Chief Si’ahl, who refused to leave when the Duwamish were expelled from the city. It is a story of survival and competing legacies. &nbsp; Additional show notes and transcript available on our website.&nbsp;

Episode 1: Kiksoblu/Princess Angeline

Seattle the pioneer town was home to logging, coal, fishing… and lots of men. In 1864 Asa Mercer had a plan to “civilize” this rough and tumble Seattle – bring over boatloads of women! In this episode we learn about one of these women, Lizzie Ordway, her journey, and her influence on the city. We also explore Seattle’s complicated image as a pioneer town and rapidly shifting definitions of what it means to be an early settler. Show notes and episode transcript are available on our website.&nbsp;

Episode 2: Life's Weary Way

Jumping forward a little bit in history (there’s only so much time!), this episode explores the local impacts of Japanese incarceration during World War II. Some objects, like a set of Hinamatsuri dolls, were left behind. Others, like a wooden chest belonging to Kino Iwasaki, were used to re-build life post-incarceration. This is a story of struggle, resistance, and what is often left out of the Seattle narrative. Show notes and episode transcript are available on our website.&nbsp;

Episode 3: Heirs of the American Experiment

Gentrification is a hot topic in Seattle right now, as areas like the Central District are rapidly changing. Since this is a history podcast, let’s take a look at what stories are at risk of being pushed out as well, and examine what and who has historically called this neighborhood home. Through the story of jazz icon and Seattle legend Ernestine Anderson, we dive into the fight for equality, space, and African-American art in Seattle’s history.&nbsp; Show notes and transcript are available on our website.

Episode 4: A Voice Like Honey At Dusk

Pandemic! Seattle and the Spanish Flu of 1918 Webinar with MOHAI Executive Director Leonard Garfield

Program date: April 2, 2020
Location: Zoom Webinar

Explore the historical parallels between COVID-19 and the Spanish Flu of 1918 in Seattle with MOHAI’s Executive Director Leonard Garfield.

History at Home: During this historic moment, we invite you to connect with MOHAI in a new digital way! Join us at mohai.org/historyathome and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Pandemic! Seattle and the Spanish Flu of 1918 Webinar with MOHAI Executive Director Leonard Garfield

2020 Denny Lecture: Learning from Earth Day 50 Years Later with Derek Hoshiko

Program date: April 14, 2020
Location: Online

With record breaking temperatures, rising sea levels, and melting ice caps, the 1970 call for an Earth Day of environmental action has never been more relevant. From science to policy to activism, how has our state grappled with these issues over the past 50 years and what do we do next?

Join local climate activist and community organizer Derek Hoshiko to explore what we can learn from the history of environmentalism, and how we can face the present climate crisis.

During this lecture turned webinar, we explore movement moments from the first Earth Day in 1970 to the WTO “Battle in Seattle” in 1999, from Occupy Wall Street to the Thin Green Line, and from the youth #ClimateStrike and #FridaysForFuture to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn about local climate activist and community organizer Derek Hoshiko’s personal journey as we honor the work of activists marked by 50 years of Earth Day celebrations and days of action, while acknowledging where we have failed.

2020 Denny Lecture: Learning from Earth Day 50 Years Later with Derek Hoshiko

History Café: Hanford and the Homegrown Apocalypse

Program date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Program location: Online

During World War II and throughout the Cold War, the Hanford Works in Eastern Washington produced plutonium for atomic weapons. The use of these weapons led to enormous loss of life in Japan, an arms race, and unprecedented levels of contamination of the landscape at home. Even today, the massive scale of the Hanford Site often overshadows the stories of the people who built it, worked there, and are cleaning it up.

Join Steve Olson, author of The Apocalypse Factory: Plutonium and the Making of the Atomic Age, and Michael Mays, director of the Hanford History Project, for a discussion of the stories of scientists, farmers, engineers, laborers, and bureaucrats they have uncovered.

History Café is produced as a partnership between HistoryLink and MOHAI.

Photo: Hanford History Project

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As a catalyst for relevant community conversation, MOHAI’s public programs include a diverse range of speakers and perspectives related to life in our region, past and present. In presenting this program MOHAI does not endorse or advocate any specific policies represented by the speakers, their organizations, or the co-presenters.

History Café: Hanford and the Homegrown Apocalypse

MOHAI collects and preserves the diverse history of Seattle WA, the Puget Sound region and beyond. Highlighting innovation and education, MOHAI enriches lives by sharing the individual and collective stories of our communities. 

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