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Tag: Gov. Elisha P. Ferry

From WA Rural Heritage: Celebrating 1889 inauguration

From WA Rural Heritage: Celebrating 1889 inauguration

(Photo courtesy North Olympic Heritage/Washington Rural Heritage) Since Washington’s 125th birthday celebration has come and gone, you’d think we’d be done with looking back at the year we reached statehood. Think again. This photo offers a side view of the inauguration of our  first governor of the new state, Elisha P. Ferry, in Olympia on Nov. 18, 1889, exactly 125 years ago Tuesday. More than 3,000 Washingtonians celebrated their new statehood that day, marching in parades and watching the new…

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From the Archives: Anniversary of letter leading to WA statehood

From the Archives: Anniversary of letter leading to WA statehood

(Courtesy of Washington State Archives) With Washington’s 125th birthday celebration on Nov. 11 just days away, we’re always looking to highlight key documents that led to our becoming the 42nd state. This letter certainly qualifies. It was sent on Oct. 23, 1889, by Washington Territorial Gov.  Miles C. Moore to President Benjamin Harrison, requesting “to be admitted to the Union on an Equal Footing with the Original States…” Apparently, Harrison liked what Moore wrote. On Nov. 11 of that year,…

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November Archives treasure #1: Statehood telegram

November Archives treasure #1: Statehood telegram

Happy belated birthday, Washington! Last Sunday marked The Evergreen State’s 123rd birthday (and a good-looking 123 at that!) It was on Nov. 11, 1889, when Washington joined the Union as the 42nd state.  That was the date when President Benjamin Harrison signed the proclamation declaring Washington a state. Since this was before even phones were around, official word about statehood came in the form of a Western Union telegram sent that day to Washington’s first governor, Elisha P. Ferry. But…

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June “Archives treasure” #1: U.S. flag from 1889

June “Archives treasure” #1: U.S. flag from 1889

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) Since June 14 is Flag Day, it’s fitting that our first “contender” in the June “Archives treasures” contest is a historical flag. It’s an original 10’x16’ 42-star U.S. flag from 1889. A portion of this rare flag is shown in the photo above. Archives staff says this flag made of wool gauze with hand-stitched stars  probably was the one draped over the Territorial Capitol Building (photo below) at the inauguration of Elisha P. Ferry,…

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