Museum of History and Industry

Photo: Mark Konings via Google Maps

The Museum of History and Industry, better known as MOHAI, tells the story of Seattle and the Puget Sound region from inside the restored Naval Reserve Armory at Lake Union Park in South Lake Union. MOHAI describes itself as the largest private heritage organization in Washington, and its collection holds more than six million objects, documents and photographs, with only about two percent on view at any given time.

It is a natural first stop for getting your bearings on how Seattle became Seattle. You can follow the city from its earliest days through the Great Seattle Fire, the rise of Boeing and the grunge years, then step into a gallery with sweeping views of Lake Union and its seaplanes, paddlers and boats.

What You’ll See

• The Grand Atrium: look up to see the 1919 Boeing B 1, Boeing’s first commercial airplane, which took off from Lake Union and later flew international airmail between Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia.
• The Rainier “R”: the Rainier Brewing Company’s 12 foot neon “R” sign, a familiar Seattle icon, is among the museum’s signature artifacts.
• True Northwest: The Seattle Journey: the core history exhibit traces the region from the 1790s to today, with artifacts, images and hands on activities. It covers the 1889 fire, started by an overturned glue pot in a cabinet shop, that leveled downtown and led to a rebuilt city with a professional fire department and modern building code.
• Maritime Seattle: set in the armory’s historic bridge room, this gallery includes a working World War II era submarine periscope that gives 360 degree views of the city, an 1885 Fresnel lens from the Smith Island lighthouse and a ship’s wheel you can turn.
• Bezos Center for Innovation: a permanent exhibit focused on the region’s spirit of innovation, created with a gift from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
• A floor just for little kids: the third floor is dedicated to children ages 2 to 7, with a construction themed play zone.

The Story Behind It

MOHAI traces its beginnings to 1911, when Morgan and Emily Carkeek hosted costume parties that featured artifacts from Seattle’s past. That effort grew into the Seattle Historical Society, which spent decades looking for a permanent home before opening a museum in the Montlake neighborhood in 1952.

In 2012 MOHAI moved into its current home, the Naval Reserve Armory designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca and built in 1941 and 1942, where Navy recruits trained during World War II. After a full historic restoration, the museum reopened there on December 29, 2012, and the Bezos Center for Innovation opened the following year.

Tips for Your Visit

• Take the South Lake Union Streetcar or one of several nearby bus routes; the museum is at Valley Street and Terry Avenue North.
• Driving? There is a paid public lot at Valley Street and Terry Avenue North at the south end of the park, where back in parking is required. An ADA parking lot sits next to the museum, reached by a callbox at the Center for Wooden Boats gate.
• The building is fully ADA accessible, with elevators, accessible restrooms on multiple floors and wheelchairs and walkers available at the admissions desk.
• With kids? Pick up a free discovery pack, in English or Spanish, at the admissions desk, and head up to the third floor play space for the youngest visitors.
• Stay for lunch. Gourmondo at MOHAI is a lakeside cafe, or bring your own food to eat in the Microsoft Lakefront Pavilion on the first floor.

Plan Your Visit

Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: 206.324.1126
Website: mohai.org
Hours and admission: Check the museum website for current days, hours, and admission before you visit.
Directions: View on Google Maps