… that the grand Bluthner piano in the State Reception Room has quite the history? 

Crafted in Leipzig, Germany, around 1890, it was purchased by Dr. Hans Moldenhauer in 1930.  Dr. Moldenhauer, of Jewish decent, was born in Germany and emigrated to Washington State in 1938, just one year before WWII broke out.  He brought his beloved piano with him to his new home in Spokane, and resided there until his death in 1987. He bequeathed the piano to the state of Washington as an expression of his gratitude for “finding a new home congenial to his affinities,” which ranged from music to mountains. The Music Department of the School of Fine Arts at Eastern Washington University completely restored the piano in 1989. 

To listen to our state song, “Washington, My Home,” played on the Bluthner piano, visit our state symbols page at sos.wa.gov/seal/symbols.aspx.