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Capitol Campus

A FOND FAREWELL: THE ORIGINAL NEWHOUSE BUILDING, 1934-2023

A FOND FAREWELL: THE ORIGINAL NEWHOUSE BUILDING, 1934-2023

On May 15, 2023, the last remnants of the original Irving R. Newhouse Building were demolished. The Irving R. Newhouse Building was built in 1934 as part of a Civil Works Administration program to spur job growth during the Great Depression. Since then, it has served the state of Washington in various capacities and housed several different tenants for nearly 90 years. Though it is no longer standing, it remains a vital piece of Capitol Campus history. Designed by prominent…

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Territorial Sundial returns to Capitol Campus

Territorial Sundial returns to Capitol Campus

The iconic Territorial Sundial, housed between the Legislative Building and the Joel Pritchard Library, returned to its original location in Olympia after being in Seattle for repairs during the past 6 months. Workers took the aging timepiece to Seattle in July 2017 for its first major overhaul in 59 years. In need of serious repair, the weathered sundial became inaccurate at telling time. The restoration work done on the sundial included crafting a new stronger gnomon, the part of the dial…

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Making the Season Bright

Making the Season Bright

It’s the giving season and the Holiday Kids’ Tree symbolizes it in the best way. Each year, the Association of Washington Business (AWB) hosts the Holiday Kids’ Tree lighting marking the end of their Holiday Kids’ Tree Project of that year.  The project collects donations and funds to be given to children and families in need in rural areas. According to the AWB website, more than $390,000 in cash donations and thousands of gifts since the project started in 1989….

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‘Tis the season!

‘Tis the season!

The holiday season is officially here and the smell of evergreen fills the Legislative Building with the arrival of this year’s Holiday Kids’ Tree! The tree, delivered November 28th, comes from Rainier, WA and was donated by Weyerhaeuser’s Vail Tree Farm. The Noble fir stands at 30-feet tall and will be adorned with over 7,000 LED lights and stuffed animals for this year’s theme of “Friends of the Forest”. The “Friends of the Forest” theme features animals native to the State of…

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Korea 65 Setup
Lights, camera, action: Video shows how Korea 65 exhibit was installed

Lights, camera, action: Video shows how Korea 65 exhibit was installed

For several years, Capitol visitors have been treated to some amazing exhibits in our front lobby, courtesy of our talented and creative Legacy Washington team. The latest is “Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered.” The exhibit, along with a series of online profiles, focuses on Washingtonians who experienced the Korean War in different ways, from U.S. soldiers who fought in the war to Korean-Americans who grew up in Korea during or after the war. Ever wonder how an exhibit actually…

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Moonbeam Kupka and her family in Korea.
Korea 65 launch countdown: Moonbeam Kupka and Patsy Surh O’Connell

Korea 65 launch countdown: Moonbeam Kupka and Patsy Surh O’Connell

We’re just days away from this Thursday’s launch event for the new Legacy Washington exhibit, “Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered.” The exhibit explores the stories of 13 Washingtonians who experienced the Korean War in different ways, from U.S. soldiers who fought in the war, to a nurse who worked in a MASH unit, to Korean Americans who grew up in Korea during or after the war. The public is invited to attend the Korea 65 exhibit launch at the…

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Jim Evans
Korea 65 launch countdown: Jim Evans and Sotero Soto

Korea 65 launch countdown: Jim Evans and Sotero Soto

Our Legacy Washington team is preparing for its Sept. 14 launch of its new exhibit, “Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered.” It explores the stories of 13 Washingtonians who experienced the Korean War in different ways, from U.S. soldiers who fought in the war, to a nurse who worked in a MASH unit, to Korean Americans who grew up in Korea during or after the war. The public is welcome to attend the Korea 65 exhibit launch at the Capitol….

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Korea 65 logo
Legacy Washington to launch Korea 65 exhibit September 14

Legacy Washington to launch Korea 65 exhibit September 14

Our Legacy Washington team recently finished installing an informative and terrific-looking new exhibit in our front lobby. Called Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered, it provides a series of stories about Washingtonians who experienced the Korean War in different ways, from U.S. soldiers who fought in the war, to a nurse who worked in a MASH unit, to Korean Americans who grew up in Korea during or after the war. On September 14, our office is hosting a Korea 65…

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1959 Capitol Campus sundial photo.
Is Capitol Campus sundial disappearing?

Is Capitol Campus sundial disappearing?

Capitol staffers and visitors might soon notice that the sundial between the John L. O’Brien and John A. Cherberg buildings and just south of the Legislative Building has gone missing. Is the sundial going away for good? No. The Department of Enterprise Services has announced that the popular sundial is being removed this week for repairs. According to a DES news release: The sundial will be taken to Seattle for further condition assessment and repair. Work will include: Crafting of…

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Former Gov. John Spellman visits Capitol.
Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

Former Gov. Spellman visits WA Capitol

More than three decades after serving as Washington’s governor, John Spellman returned to Olympia to tour the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol and meet with current Gov. Jay Inslee. Before seeing the governor, 90-year-old Spellman, along with two of his sons, a grandson and a granddaughter, stopped by our office to meet with staff, including two alumni from Spellman’s gubernatorial staff – State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Spellman’s chief of staff, and Patrick McDonald, who was an intern and…

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