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Tag: Washington history

A Snapshot of Columbia County

A Snapshot of Columbia County

The Palouse region of Washington is a landscape of gentle hills, rural towns, and wheat fields in the southeastern corner of the state. Eliciting a Van Gogh painting, Palouse starkly contrasts the mountains and forests of Western Washington. Columbia County is found in this golden part of Washington, and is the seventh county in our series. Columbia County is named after the Columbia River, which winds through Washington and serves as a vein of commerce, irrigation, and recreation for the…

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Justice Alexander: ‘Washington’s march to statehood’

Justice Alexander: ‘Washington’s march to statehood’

Former Chief Justice Gerry Alexander points to an image of the 1889 telegram announcing President Harrison had signed the proclamation declaring that Washington had become a state. (Photos courtesy of Laura Mott) Former Chief Justice Gerry Alexander’s distinguished career in law and the court system has spanned nearly half a century, making him one the the state’s best-known jurists in state history.  On Tuesday, he delighted a Capitol audience with another of his passions — state and local history —…

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Legacy Washington highlights state’s history

Legacy Washington highlights state’s history

We’ve just launched a new webpage and program that highlights our state’s remarkable past and the people who contribute to it. We have rebranded our heritage programs under the umbrella of Legacy Washington (or LegacyWA). Legacy Washington promotes the state’s history through exhibits, books, e-books, videos and online stories, and more. The new program, which combines our Legacy Project and Heritage Center staffs, will draw on the extensive knowledge of the state’s librarians, archivists and historians. Secretary of State Kim…

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A collection of Washington classics

A collection of Washington classics

Are you a self-proclaimed Washington State history lover?  If so, the State Library has a digital collection you will certainly enjoy. The State Library’s Classics in Washington History collection has full-text books and out-of-print titles regarding  20th century events, county and regional history, exploration and early travel around the state, geography, industrial workers of the world, military history, Native Americans, natural history, pioneer life, territorial and state government, wagon trains, the Oregon Trail, the Washington Voters’ Pamphlet and women’s stories….

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