Life in the Heart November, 2012 of Seattle Vol. 2, No. 1

Welcome to Seattle, MOHAI Plans Grand Opening on The Netherlands South Lake Union

Yes of course that’s overstating it,but there’s no escaping the Seattle – The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) plans a public grand opening of the new MOHAI at Lake Union Park feeling in Seattle right now,that a huge social seachange has on Saturday, December 29. The beautifully restored Naval Reserve Armory will provide MOHAI with nearly 50,000-square just occurred. Because it has. feet of exhibition and program space that (hopefully!) will inspire visitors to connect with the power of history. Plus,we have streetcars. The public is invited to join MOHAI for the community-wide Grand Opening with free admission, special programming and activities, and extended hours from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on that Saturday. Festivities continue throughout the week with While much of the country concentrated on the presiden- special events and activities, including New Year’s Family Day (Tuesday, January 1, 2013), and Free First Thursday (Thursday, tial election,Washington State almost quietly became the January 3, 2013). only place in the United States where both Gay marriage and marijuana are (essentially) legal. The exhibits for the inaugural year were developed to highlight the advantages of the new museum space by incorporating Add that to the sweeping national Democratic victories interactive features and hands-on activities. MOHAI’s premier core exhibit on the Seattle experience, which rings the second in the Senate,and several other states voting to allow gay story of the building, will allow visitors to explore the region’s history—from wilderness to world city—with thousands of ar- marriage, and yes,there were literally fireworks over several tifacts and images. The exhibit starts and ends with a Prologue/Epilogue Theatre which helps contextualize the region’s history Seattle neighborhoods. through first person accounts from past and present community members.

For us here on Lake Union,the past year had already felt Along with this entirely new core exhibit, MOHAI has teamed up with various local organizations to create three temporary like a new era begun. We’ve witnessed the palpable ener- exhibits, each exploring a unique aspect of our local culture. 2013 will also bring the opening of the Center for Innovation, a gy and creativity of thousands of out-of-towners pouring new project exploring the culture of entrepreneurship and creativity that has flourished in the Pacific Northwest. “This is an into the area,the headspinning development announce- incredibly exciting time at MOHAI,” stated Executive Director Leonard Garfield, “This once-in-a-generation opportunity will allow us to engage more visitors, to engage more students, and to ensure that MOHAI continues to be a central resource for ments,and the progressive political commitments of sever- Puget Sound culture and history.” al of our celebrity companies.

If you’re into this sort-of-thinking this thought might amuse you,but there is a sort-of sly irony that this,the bluest of cities in the bluest of states,has these social and political views but also near gold-rush opportunity for many hard working,ambitious and talented techies (and others),and that so many superstar lefty billionaires/millionaires have come from here.

Seattle has always been entrepreneurial and pioneering. Which gives me an idea. How about that upcoming Mari- juana tourism industry we’re going to be having!?

Peter Hansen