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Tag: Heritage Center

Who plays Isaac Stevens: Pitt or DiCaprio?

Who plays Isaac Stevens: Pitt or DiCaprio?

Now that our new Civil War sesquicentennial exhibit featuring the first Washington territorial governor, Isaac Stevens, is up and ready for everyone to see in our office’s front lobby, one recurring comment made by some office staffers is that Stevens bared a strong resemblance to actor Brad Pitt, who, as one female co-worker put it, “is Mr. Dreamy.” Another colleague remarked that Stevens looks a bit like Mr. Titanic himself, actor Leonardo DiCaprio. So, not wanting to miss out on…

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Check out our new exhibit

Check out our new exhibit

There’s a new, privately funded exhibit being featured in the front lobby of the Secretary of State’s executive office. It showcases Isaac Stevens, who was Washington’s first territorial governor and later was a general in the Civil War before he was killed in action. The exhibit is in line with the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.  The exhibit will be up until next February.

Goodbye, women’s exhibit

Goodbye, women’s exhibit

After being featured for more than a year in the front lobby of our executive office at the state Capitol, the exhibit highlighting Washington’s female political pioneers was taken down Friday. The exhibit, entitled “Moving Forward, Looking Back: Washington’s First Women in Government,” included large posters focusing on the Washington women who were the first to hold various significant offices in our state, including state representative (Frances Axtell and Nena Jolidon Croake), state senator (Reba Hurn), secretary of state (Belle…

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March 5 event in Spokane highlights Bing Crosby’s story

March 5 event in Spokane highlights Bing Crosby’s story

Bing Crosby. He’s one of Washington’s most famous native sons. He enjoyed international fame and respect as a beloved singer and actor for decades, starting in the 1930s. Known especially for “White Christmas,” he was one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with over half a billion records in circulation. In the late ‘40s, polls indicated that he was the “most admired man alive.” If you’re a Bing Crosby fan and want to learn more about his family…

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Lillian Walker, civil rights pioneer, honored

Lillian Walker, civil rights pioneer, honored

It was like a combination of birthday party, book-launch, political rally and roast for a revered old friend. Lillian Walker, who has just turned a feisty 97, was the honoree at a civic event sponsored by Secretary of State Sam Reed, the YWCA and Mrs. Walkers’ numerous friends, family and colleagues in the long struggle for equality for all. Well before Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks were gaining fame, Mrs. Walker and her late husband James were organizing…

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Civil rights heroine book launch is Tuesday

Civil rights heroine book launch is Tuesday

Bremerton civil rights heroine Lillian Walker is being honored at a book launch. The event is at the County Commissioners’ Chambers in the Kitsap County Administration Building, located at 619 Division St. in Port Orchard. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the program starts at 4:45 and ends at 6. The book is called “Lillian Walker, Washington Civil Rights Pioneer,” written by John C. Hughes. It costs $20. Copies will be available for sale at tomorrow’s event, including signed ones….

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`Booth Who?’ book rollout honors Governor Gardner

`Booth Who?’ book rollout honors Governor Gardner

“Booth Who?” was the slogan that puckish campaign aides famously used for Booth Gardner’s early campaign buttons and yardsigns back when he wasn’t exactly a household name yet.  He eventually hit the political version of a Grand Slam, serving in the state Senate, Pierce County Executive and as the two-term governor. His story is now told in a new Legacy Project book called, naturally enough,  “Booth Who?”  It’s available free online and in print form ($25 softcover, $35 for limited…

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No Heritage Center just yet

No Heritage Center just yet

Washington’s newly adopted $3.7 billion  construction budget doesn’t  greenlight construction of the long-planned and previously approved Washington State Heritage Center on the Capitol Campus. The project, championed by Secretary of State Sam Reed, Senator Karen Fraser, heritage groups, and newspapers across Washington, is designed to bring together the State Archives, State Library, an education center, visitor experience, history exhibits and other features in a consolidated facility at the gateway to the Capitol grounds. It was not in competition with other operating…

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Session’s a wrap: Now the people speak

Session’s a wrap: Now the people speak

Washington’s election-year, deficit-plagued legislative session is now history.  After 90 days of debate and wrangling, the Democratic-controlled Legislature closed a $2.8 billion budget gap with a pastiche of taxes, spending cuts, federal aid and other stopgap measures.  The session was gaveled to a close early Tuesday. The voters get the final say: All of the 98 House seats will be on the ballot this fall, as will half of the 49-member Senate.  Republicans believe Democrats will pay a big price…

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Moving Forward, Looking Back

Moving Forward, Looking Back

Last night’s opening of our office’s new exhibit, “Moving Forward, Looking Back“, was an extraordinary, energetic evening dedicated to the women of Washington.  Governor Gregoire, first woman insurance commissioner Deborah Senn, first woman lands commissioner Jennifer Belcher, and relatives of Dixy Lee Ray and Belle Reeves shared inspiring stories … and there were plenty of “huzzahs” from costumed ladies in the crowd.   If you missed the event, which celebrated women’s achievements in government, watch it below or catch the program on TVW today…

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