The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) opens a major new exhibit, Essential Seattle, on November 13. Spanning 150 years, the exhibit covers the earliest European contact in 1792 through the high tech boom of the 1990s, the museum announced November 1.

"We are so pleased to bring the Essential Seattle exhibit to the community," said Executive Director Leonard Garfield. "It provides an opportunity to get to know the people, the events and the stories that truly make up the DNA of Seattle. As we come to understand our past, we are much better equipped to make wise decisions about our future."

Moving chronologically, a visitor will explore Seattle's early settlements, the vibrant economy and the sometimes painful stories associated with immigrant populations. The show will also examine how aviation and shipbuilding, two of Seattle's key industries, played an important part in the shaping of the city.

Essential Seattle journeys through other facets of the remarkable transformation such as the 1962 World's Fair, the Boeing downturn, the success of local companies such as Microsoft and Starbucks, and the roller coaster of the dot.com boom and bust.

Using evocative images and artifacts, compelling films and thought-provoking oral histories, 'Essential Seattle' tells a story that should be of interest to all its inhabitants.

MOHAI is the region's premiere heritage museum, with the largest collection of items related to Seattle history: 100,000 artifacts; 200,000 documents and two million historic photographs. MOHAI offers lectures and workshops to the public and runs an education program for students and teachers. Located in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle at 2700 24th Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98112, MOHAI is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. First Thursdays free and open until 8 pm. The MOHAI site is www.seattlehistory.org for complete exhibit and program calendar.