Our State Library has many rare and historic books, newspapers, maps and other collections (even phone books!) related to Washington and the Northwest.

The State Library also has a great collection of more than 5,000 classic black-and-white photos that capture Washington’s history, people, geography and economic development. You can view the State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, here. It’s also found on our Digital Archives website.

Since we’re in the middle of a white winter in the mountains, you’ll enjoy some great shots of snow-covered Washington locales. One shot shows two skiers crossing a ridge line near Dege Peak below Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park. The photo was taken sometime between 1920 and 1950. You can learn more about this photo here.