About MOHAI

From humble beginnings in 1911, MOHAI has grown into the largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington with a collection of over six million objects, documents, and photographs from the Puget Sound region’s past. A portion of this collection (roughly 2% at any given time) is on display in the museum’s galleries at the historic Naval Reserve Armory in Lake Union Park. MOHAI uses these artifacts along with cutting edge, hands-on interactive experiences to make history come alive.

In addition to museum exhibits, MOHAI hosts a variety of award-winning youth and adult public programs and collaborates with community partners on local events and activities.

MOHAI is accredited by The Alliance of American Museums and is a Smithsonian Affiliate.

To serve our region, we bridge the past, present and future by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories through compelling, innovative exhibits and community engagement.

MOHAI is a Catalyst

Promoting the region’s well-being through the exploration of the past, present, and future

The museum is a public place for relevant community conversation that enhances community engagement. By capturing these conversations and developing new collection initiatives, MOHAI is targeting the history that is being made today.

MOHAI is Bold

Bringing bold and fresh approaches to history

History is not made in a vacuum; it is constantly progressing within communities. In order to both react to and make history, MOHAI imagines exhibits and programs as evolving experiences with an emphasis on local stories and digital components.

MOHAI is Accessible

Broadening access to history and the museum through programs and exhibits

All people should have access to the stories that make up their history. MOHAI works to develop opportunities for students to experience the museum, as well as ensure that the resources easily accessed for all visitors.

MOHAI is Sustainable

Building the capacity to achieve strategic goals

As an esteemed community resource, it is crucial for MOHAI invest in the community. Cultivating long-term relationships and maintaining the highest professional standards ensures the artifacts and stories of Puget Sound’s diverse history are preserved.

Founded in 1911, MOHAI inspires generations of lifelong learners through exhibits and programs that share the unforgettable stories of the people who shaped Seattle into the place it is today. Each year, 50 employees, 30 Trustees, and over 200 volunteers work to advance these goals for the benefit of the community.

The museum’s Strategic Plan provides a roadmap for all activities, building on existing resources and identifying new opportunities that advance the museum’s four key goals to:

1. be a catalyst for promoting the region’s wellbeing through the exploration of our past, present, and future;
2. be bold and fresh, and designed to surprise, delight, educate, and inspire;
3. broaden access to history and to the museum; and
4. have the business, fundraising, and human resource capacity to achieve these strategic goals.

In January 2020, MOHAI completed the development of our Racial Equity statement and three-year workplan based on a year of staff and board racial equity training. The Racial Equity Statement and Goals were collaboratively created, along with a more in-depth workplan, over several months and reflect the cumulative work of every department. The document is reviewed regularly to check for alignment with institutional goals and community commitments.

In 2012, MOHAI reopened in the restored landmark Naval Reserve Armory in Lake Union Park, now attracting 130,000 visitors annually, including nearly 30,000 youth. Historically, over 45% of all admissions are free of charge or discounted, making the museum available to all members of the community regardless of socio-economic status. MOHAI’s primary audience is Seattle area residents and families. Out-of-town visitors form an important secondary audience, particularly during peak tourism months in the summer.

Arts and culture organizations play a vital role in maintaining a vibrant community. On an economic level, arts and culture is a significant industry in our region that in 2014 reached 13.4 million patrons and generated $2 billion in the Washington State Economy. Yet, the impact of arts and culture extends beyond economics, improving the quality of life for individuals and for the community as a whole. Protecting and preserving our shared heritage, engaging people in conversation, and strengthening cultural values are just a few examples.

Within the region’s thriving arts and culture sector, MOHAI has emerged as the preeminent institution in the region for engaging people in the exploration and understanding of the history, character, and development of this area. The Puget Sound region is a rapid-changing, diverse community with an evolving demographic profile, home to national leaders in sectors such as technology, aviation, environmentalism, and arts and culture. Within this dynamic and evolving community, MOHAI captures and shares the stories of our collective past, framing it within a broader national and international context to understand its lessons and help us envision a strong future. The museum strives to be an inclusive platform for future civic health, embracing the spirit of collaboration and seeking out community partners to inform exhibit and program development. In doing this, MOHAI seeks to create a forum for people of different cultures, backgrounds, and abilities, bringing them together and working to nurture critical thinking skills and a lifelong passion for knowledge.