Wawona at the Mohai

The MOHAI -- Museum of History And Industry -- preserves the history of Seattle and the Northwest. Located in an an old armory building, next to and above Lake Union, the MOHAI tells the of the unique people who have shaped the city and its industry. The museum tells the story of the founding of Seattle, the great fire, union unrest, Boeing Corporation, Microsoft and Amazon to name a few of the exhibits.

One exhibit is an art installation called the "Wawona" The Wawona was a schooner that carried lumber and was a fisherman from the late 1800's through the mid-1900s. After her sailing days were over, the Wawona decayed in a berth on Lake Union.

John Grade, a Seattle artist, repurposed the Wawona and created a 56' sculpture within the MOHAI museum. Grade's sculpture is quite dramatic and it was created with the old growth fir of the sailing vessel. It both reminds one of an massive tree and a sailing ship.

One of the neat things about the sculpture is that it has movement, almost as if one is on a sailing vessel.

Striking and beautiful, I believe the Wawona is the centerpiece of the wonderful MOHAI museum.