Because of a proposed highway expansion, the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle has moved from its old location near the University of Washington to the old Naval Reserve Armory on the shore of Lake Union near downtown Seattle.
Since they opened less than a month ago, I've gone 3 times: once with each of my parents, and once with my husband and friends. It was fun to hear my parents' recollections about Seattle history prompted by the wonderful exhibits. My dad graduated from high school in Seattle in the 1950's, and my mom came to Seattle in 1964.
When I first entered the museum I felt there "wasn't much to see" because it appeared to be just a big open space. Looks can be deceiving...
The second level contains the main exhibit in a maze of rooms connected to a circular balcony. The MOHAI website best describes what can be found there:
"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.
"Visitors stroll through twenty five different "snapshots" of the city through the years, each with a unique display of artifacts, images, and multimedia. Interspersed througout the exhibit are one-of-a-kind interactive experiences, such as the Great Fire Theater and the Canwell Trials reenactment, that let visitors truly immerse themselves in the lives and stories of our past."
The fourth floor contains one room dedicated to local maritime history. I was grateful that the popular periscope made the move from the old location to this new one.
Look out the windows and you might see...
A Native American paddling a hand-carved canoe...
Or the more typical boat and float-plane traffic.
Little K looks down from the 4th floor Maritime History room.
The girls and me in front of a beautiful photo-mural of Mt. Rainier on the 2nd floor.
My dad and the girls on the stairs. After my dad's visit he said he "needed a nap." My mom needed a wheelchair. And my husband could hardly walk the next couple days after his visit (well, he did just have knee replacement surgery). The girls and me? We didn't get enough, and can't wait to go back for more!
If you live in Seattle, or are visiting Seattle, I highly recommend a visit to MOHAI. It's an amazing place, with something for everyone, including the very young (there's even a great playroom for the littlest ones).
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