The State Capitol in Olympia, Washington

We parked at Capitol Lake
& walked up the hill to the
Washington State Capitol.

Benches are placed along

the meandering path.

Washington is the only state named for a U.S. President - President George Washington. 

Washington's Capitol was
built between 1922 & 1928.






This is the last state Capitol built with a dome.  Architects Walter Wilder and Harry White of New York designed the Capitol, officially named The Legislative Building, in the American Neoclassical style.  The Legislative Building, Temple of Justice, Insurance Building, O'Brien, Cherberg and Pritchard Buildings were built on this fifty acre site to provide architectural harmony for the Washington State's government buildings.

The Capitol's bronze doors are

decorated with bas-reliefs

depicting Washington's history.

Eric stands next to the statue

of Marcus Whitman, physician

& missionary who brought

settlers to Washington State.

Mother Joseph, of the Order of

the Sacred Heart, was sent to

the wilds of Washington to

build hospitals & schools.

We will be touring the Washington State Capitol with two families.  With four young children in our group, I expect there will be many questions.

The rotunda

The bronze chandelier that hangs from the rotunda is the largest chandelier created by the artists at the Tiffany Studios in New York.  

The flag above the fireplace in the

Reception Room was presented

to the state by the Daughters of

the American Revolution in 1928.

The rug that covers the teak floor in the Reception Room was manufactured at Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam, New York.  

The lectern used by the
Governor for speeches.








Our tour guide, Dave Shipley, gave a very informative tour.  He answered all the children's questions.

 Many shapes have been

found in the marble that lines

the Reception Room walls.

This dog is easily found.

Seismic upgrades were made to the Legislative Building after earthquakes in 1949 and 

1965.  Earthquake repairs, upgrades to the heating and air conditioning systems and the installation of solar panels on the roof were completed in 2004.  

The Washington State 
House of Representatives
has 98 representatives.

Voting is done electronically
in this chamber.

The Washington State

Senate has 49 Senators.

Voting is done by voice

in this chamber.

The public galleries are on the sides of the House of Representatives and the Senate.  

I was surprised to find out

that visitors can enter the

Governor's Office.

Portraits of Washington State Governors line the walls of the Governor's Office.

We are allowed to visit the

Governor's Reception Room

where bills are publicly signed.

Deep maroon drapes line the

windows in the Reception Room.

The chandeliers were made

at Tiffany Studios in New York.

This picture was taken by a

 member of the Executive

 Services Section, the police

 unit that protects the

 Governor, his/her family &

 the Lieutenant Governor.

The Washington State Capitol is the People's House.  Just walk into the Capitol and follow the signs (there are lots of them) to the area where tours start.  Tours are available seven days a week from 10 am to 3 pm.