Museum of History & Industry

The Seattle Historical Society was formed in 1911 (on the 60th anniversary of the Alki landing of the Denny Party), officially incorporated three years later, and eventually became known as the Seattle-King County Historical Society. The Museum of History & Industry opened on February 15, 1952 in the Montlake location. Ten years later the expansion of SR 520 forced the museum to create a new entrance. By the end of the next decade MOHAI had expanded to include the McCurdy Gallery and the McEachern auditorium. In 1974 MOHAI received accreditation from the American Association of Museums. MOHAI believes that the preservation and exploration of Seattle’s past is essential to making effective decisions for its future. From humble beginnings in 1911, MOHAI has grown into the largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington with a collection of over 4 million objects, documents, and photographs from the Puget Sound region’s past. MOHAI uses these artifacts along with cutting edge, hands-on interactive experiences to make history come alive through the unforgettable stories of the men and women who built Seattle from wilderness to world city. In addition to museum exhibits, MOHAI hosts a variety of award-winning youth and adult public programs and consistently collaborates with community partners on local events and activities. Ultimately MOHAI hopes to connect individuals with our region’s rich history and inspire them to continue to make our home a strong, vibrant, and sustainable place to live.