… the story pole on the west capitol campus was purchased by the donations of schoolchildren? 

Washington kids all over the state brought in pennies and raised $200 needed to buy the pole.  May 14 marks 69 years since the story pole was dedicated.  Chief William of the Snohomish Tribe began carving in 1938 and sadly passed away before he finished the massive piece of artwork, and carvers from his tribe finished it.

Chief Shelton’s Story Pole has often been incorrectly referred to as a totem pole.  A totem pole represents a family’s history whereas a story pole teaches community responsibility and cultural attitudes through animal characters.  Our story pole features 21 carved figures, each teaching life lessons.  

(Photograph courtesy of the Washington State Archives)