The official grand opening event for our next great historical exhibit isn’t until Nov. 11, but why wait until then? Everyone is welcome to see the exhibit because it’s now on display in our office.

Called Washington 1889: Blazes, Rails & the Year of Statehood, it highlights the major stories of Washington’s seminal year and explores the key events leading to Washington becoming the 42nd state:
• Completion of a second transcontinental railroad once it reached Tacoma in 1883.
• The influx of settlers in the decade leading up to 1889 and statehood .
• Creation and ratification of a state constitution.
• Intense competition between several cities to become capital of the state of Washington.
• Devastating fires in Seattle, Ellensburg and Spokane in 1889 and the successful rebuilding efforts in each city after the blazes.

The privately funded exhibit, presented by the Office of Secretary of State and its Legacy Washington program, also features an original 42-star flag that reflected Washington’s entry into the union, artifacts from the Great Seattle Fire, a replica of the Washington State Constitution and more.

The exhibit’s Nov. 11 grand opening ceremony takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the front lobby of our office, located on the second floor of the Legislative Building.