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Tag: State Capitol

Public and traveling libraries 1904
Throwback Thursday: What Washington libraries looked like in 1904

Throwback Thursday: What Washington libraries looked like in 1904

J.A. Gabel, appointed Washington State Librarian in 1902 at just 29 years old, penned an insightful report on the condition of the state library system as “an active and aggressive force” for state education and governance. We found the document well worth sharing, both as an interesting historic record and as an explanation of how the State Library came to grow to its current form. Enjoy! Above is a map of the state’s library system as it existed then: the…

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Archives Spotlight: The Legislative Building turns 90

Archives Spotlight: The Legislative Building turns 90

In the quiet of the post-Legislative session interim period, the 90th anniversary of the Washington Capitol‘s opening to the public passed without a formal observance on March 28. Perhaps that was fitting. The Legislative Building went without a grand opening party back in 1928 because of a political dispute over the perceived largesse of building and furnishing a $7 million government building. The Legislative Building was constructed over much of the 1920s. Architects Walter Wilder and Harry White, whose plan…

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New exhibit showcases Washington’s mark on the world

New exhibit showcases Washington’s mark on the world

Members of Nirvana, from left: Krist Novoselic, Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl. (Photo by Anton Corbijn) A free, privately funded exhibit opening next week in the State Capitol does more than just celebrate the many triumphs in business, science, technology and music that put Washington on the global map. “Grand Coulee to Grunge” is a good reminder that, as a state, we’ve been making it big for more than a century, and continue to do so. The image-based exhibit will…

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Past meets present at State Capitol

Past meets present at State Capitol

The State Archives sent us this cool photo combining a 1933 shot of a rally on the State Capitol steps along with a present-day view of the Capitol. The older photo is from the Archives’ Susan Parish photo collection. It’s fun to see the cars from that era “parked” next to today’s vehicles.

Spring has sprung at the Capitol

Spring has sprung at the Capitol

Patrick McDonald captured a glimpse of spring at the State Capitol today. We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views, and personal narratives from all over the state. Q) How do I submit a photo or story to be used in “From Your Corner of  Washington”? A) Please send your text or image attachment (in JPG…

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From Your Corner of Washington: Autumn in Olympia

From Your Corner of Washington: Autumn in Olympia

Photograph courtesy of  Ben Helle Yet again, the Capitol building in Olympia provides the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous fall day. Have you traveled anywhere recently around our beautiful state and taken any pictures?  If so, we invite you to e-mail your photos!  We need them to continue our ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views and personal narratives from all over the state.  (Seriously, where are all the great…

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From Your Corner of Washington: State Capitol

From Your Corner of Washington: State Capitol

Photograph courtesy of Jeff Martin A stately view of the State Capitol in Olympia with the Washington State flag and U.S. flag waving proudly in the foreground. We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views and personal narratives from all over the state. Q) How do I submit a photo or story to be used in…

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Hard Times in Washington: Old State Capitol Fire

Hard Times in Washington: Old State Capitol Fire

Photograph courtesy of the Washington State Archives In September 1928, fire broke out on the 3rd floor of the old State Capitol Building,  destroying the decorative, 150-foot-tall octagonal clock tower.  Olympia and Tacoma firefighters quickly doused the fire out.  The building itself was soon-after repaired, but the clock tower, deemed unsafe, was never replaced.  October is Washington Archives Month, and this year’s theme is Washington’s struggles and setbacks over the years and how the people of this state have overcome them.

From Your Corner of Washington: The State Capitol

From Your Corner of Washington: The State Capitol

Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonald The Washington State Capitol in late August with the clouds rolling in during a breezy afternoon. We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views, and personal narratives from all over the state. Q) How do I submit a photo or story to be used in “From Your Corner of  Washington”? A) Please send…

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District of Columbia’s Secretary visits Oly

District of Columbia’s Secretary visits Oly

Dr. Stephanie Scott, Secretary of the District of Columbia, paid a call on this Washington’s Secretary of State, Sam Reed, at the state Capitol on Tuesday.   She and her children, Mattie (left) and Zennon Melnyk, are vacationing in Seattle, attending a family wedding, and wanted to visit Reed and tour the Capitol. Dr. Scott and Reed are friends from the National Association  of  Secretaries of State, which holds its winter conferences in the nation’s capital.  They worked together on forming…

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