Arts, Heritage, and Science Week Kickoff Event,...
15 photos
Workshop: Out of Many, One: Engaging your community in America 250
As part of Washington’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026, the Washington State...
Washington State Governor’s Inaugural Ball,...
485 photos
The 2025 Washington State Governor’s Inaugural Ball, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Washington State Legislative Building.
This event celebrated the office of...
Secretary Hobbs Presides Over Washington’s...
311 photos
OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Washington’s 12 electors met to cast their votes for president and vice president, joining electors across the country in this constitutionally mandated step of the...
Mr. Mainstream: Sam Reed's Half Century of Public...
412 photos
The Washington Secretary of State's Legacy Washington program and the ALL Foundation of Washington hosted a launch event for thir new book entitled "Mr. Mainstream: Sam Reed"; authored by...
2024 CoSA Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO,...
607 photos
By the People, For the People: Increasing Access to State and Territorial Records
St. Louis, MO | September 18-20, 2024
Olympia's Restored “The Great Wave Off...
198 photos
On Sunday, September 8, the restored mural "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" was rededicated to honor the contributions and perseverance of the Japanese community in the Olympia. Artist Joe...
2024 Olympia Harbor Day Historic Waterfront Maps...
26 photos
2024 OSOS All-Staff Picnic, August 13, 2024
100 photos
Billy Frank Jr. National Statuary Hall Selection...
155 photos
Members of the the Billy Frank Jr. National Statuary Hall Selection Committee and the Nisqually Indian Tribe visited artist Haiying Wu as he completes the statue of Billy Frank Jr. at South Puget...
WSHS Symposium: The Boldt Decision at 50, March...
358 photos
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landmark Boldt Decision, the Washington State Historical Society hosted a symposium earlier today exploring the history of this ruling that served as an...
Gov. Jay Inslee and Gov. Ruslan Kravchenko...
277 photos
Current Governor of Kyiv Regional State Administration and former war crimes investigator Ruslan Kravchenko visits Tacoma to sign a commitment with Gov. Jay Inslee to engage in economic and academic...
Billy Frank Jr. Annual Celebration, Lacey, March...
190 photos
As part of the celebration of the life and legacy of Billy Frank Jr., local institutions and communities commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision. Judge Boldt issued a ruling that...
Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, March 2, 2024
153 photos
The Washington State Archives joined the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) and visited the Emerald City Comic Con to share about how our office supports communities statewide through civic...
Commemorating the First Washington Territorial...
59 photos
170 years ago, in February 1854, the first legislative assembly convened in Olympia. Last week, as Sen. Sam Hunt introduced SR 8674 honoring that first meeting, the Washington State Archives shared...
Dick Nelms, Veteran and Artist, Visits the...
45 photos
After earning his wings in December 1943, United States Army Air Forces veteran Captain Richard "Dick" Alan Nelms served in the European Theater during World War II as a Boeing B-17 Flying...
Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor,...
165 photos
February 20, 2024
OLYMPIA — For the first time in nine years, Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor were awarded Wednesday at a ceremony in the state Legislative Building.
The Medal of Merit...
Billy Frank Jr. Statue Maquette Unveiling...
381 photos
The unveiling ceremony was held in the State Reception Room for a maquette of the Billy Frank Jr. statue to be placed in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
The ceremony was emceed by...
2023 Centennial Accord, October 2023
92 photos
34th Annual Centennial Accord Meeting held on October 30th and 31st, 2023 at the Lucky Eagle Casino Event Center.
The Centennial Accord was signed on August 4, 1989 between the State of Washington...
WSHS Presents: Asahel Curtis: First Look with...
30 photos
This special event provided an exclusive look at newly digitized Asahel Curtis photos. Attendees heard from the Washington State Historical Society’s Head of Collections, Maggie Weatherbee, about...
The Journey to Marriage Equality: Lessoned...
50 photos
The Washington Secretary of State's Legacy Washington, authors of "Love, Equally: The Journey to Marriage Equality," and the Washington State LGBTQ Commission host a panel discussion...
1889 Washington State Constitution special...
46 photos
OLYMPIA — In honor of U.S. Constitution Week, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host a public showing of the original 1889 Washington Constitution Thursday, September 14th, in the Legislative...
ALL Foundation Retreat, August 30, 2023
61 photos
Washington Museum Association Annual Meeting...
220 photos
Scenes from the Washington Museum Association's 2023 Annual Conference in Yakima, Washington.
Juneteenth Celebration, June 15, 2023
38 photos
Washington State Digital Archives in Cheney,...
231 photos, 5 videos
The Washington State Digital Archives is the nation's first archives dedicated specifically to the preservation of electronic records from both State and Local agencies that have permanent legal,...
"Love, Equally" Exhibit Opening, February 14, 2023
208 photos
Secretary of State and Legacy Washington "Love, Equally" Exhibit Opening
February 14, 3:00 pm
An opening celebration was held at the State Capitol for Legacy Washington's new exhibit...
Images From Across Washington
968 photos
Historic and contemporary images from across Washington, collected as part of a screensaver project for the Washington State Archives.
68th Annual Pacific Northwest History...
501 photos
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Creativity and Curiosity in Northwest History
September 30 and October 1, 2022
Kennewick, Washington
From WSHS: We are excited to welcome you to Tri Cities, Washington for the...
City of Olympia 2022 Preservation Awards, May 2022
99 photos
Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby presented the 2022 Historic Preservation Awards during the 2022 Heritage Month Celebration May 25 at the historic Capitol Theater.
Transfer of the Historic Olympia Armory to City...
279 photos
A housewarming event was held on March 19, 2022 to celebrate the transfer of the historic 1939 Olympia Armory and to hear about project themes that have emerged from community conversations and...
Steve Hobbs Sworn in as Washington Secretary of...
59 photos
State Senator Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) was sworn in Monday, November 22, 2021, as Washington’s 16th secretary of state. He replaced Kim Wyman, who resigned mid-term to join the Department of...
Bush Family Marker Dedication on Capitol Campus....
85 photos
A new monument honoring the legacy of Black pioneer George Bush and his family was dedicated on the Olympia Capitol Campus.
The marker was developed as part a project to celebrate the history of...
Secretary Wyman Farewell, November 2021
176 photos
Secretary of State Kim Wyman announced on October 26th, 2021, she will be resigning to accept an appointment to serve as the Senior Election Security Lead for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure...
Washington State Patrol Centennial, September 1,...
31 photos
2021 OSOS All-Staff Appreciation Picnic, August...
144 photos
Documenting Democracy: 2020 Electoral College...
249 photos
The 2020 meeting of the College of Electors for the State of Washington took place in the State Senate Chambers of the Legislative Building in Olympia on Monday, December 14, 2020. Washington awarded...
Vietnam Assistance Program, 1975-1976
36 photos
Washington's Secretaries of State - Past and...
123 photos
Photographs of Governor Daniel J. Evans...
281 photos
Daniel Jackson Evans ((October 16, 1925 – September 20, 2024) served three terms as the 16th Governor of the State of Washington from 1965 to 1977, and as United States Senator represented...
“Ahead of the Curve: Washington Women Lead the...
129 photos
Former Governor Chris Gregoire, former Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, Chief Justice Debra Stephens, historian Stephanie Coontz, engineer Linea Laird, and TV newscaster Lori Matsukawa were in...
Jolly Dolli Breakfast, December 18, 2019
64 photos
"The Corporations and Charities Division cordially invites you to a festive breakfast celebration. Our lobby will be transformed to the magical Hogwarts and we would like our fellow divisions to...
2019 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck,...
183 photos
Washington State Historical Society 2018 History...
206 photos
Each year, the Washington State Historical Society recognizes excellence in advancing the field of history in the Evergreen State with seven special awards focused on writing, teaching, research...
Ahead of the Curve Exhibit Opening September 19,...
251 photos
Ahead of the Curve, Legacy Washington’s newest exhibit, celebrates the legacy of Washington women who won the vote in 1910 and reinvigorated the national movement. Ratification of the 19th...
2019 OSOS All-Staff Appreciation Picnic, July 2019
70 photos
Jean C. Beall Mural Rededication, June 20, 2019
87 photos
The 28,000-pound mosaic tile mural by artist Jean C. Beall was rededicated in its new home in the Helen Sommers Building.
Jean C. Beall Mural Move, February 2019
519 photos
The mural by artist Jean C. Beall moved into its new home in the Helen Sommers Building on February 23, 2019. The mural was commissioned by the State Capitol Committee in 1956. It celebrates the...
HB 2015 Bill Signing, May 21, 2019
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With a few strokes of his pen, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2015 into law Tuesday. The measure authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to construct a new Library-Archives...
First Ever Women's Olympic Marathon Trials...
325 photos
Secretary of State Kim Wyman welcomed 1984 Olympic Women's Marathon Gold Medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson to the office Friday, May 17, 2019. Alumni of the 1984 First Ever Women's Olympic Marathon...
City of Olympia 2019 Preservation Awards, May 2019
126 photos
Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby presented the 2019 Historic Preservation Awards during the 2019 Heritage Month Celebration May 16 at the Capitol Theater.
The awards were be followed by feature screenings...
Legacy Washington’s “1968: The Year That...
296 photos
A book of in-depth biographical profiles accompanying Legacy Washington’s historical exhibit “1968: The Year That Rocked Washington” was celebrated Tuesday, March 26th, with a book-signing...
2019 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol, March...
182 photos
Dancers from Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin from Kent were on hand at the Capitol this year as Dolores Huerta, civil rights activist and labor leader who co-founded the National Farm Workers ...
2018 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck,...
212 photos
2018 Haunted State Archives Tour, October 2018
59 photos
Come and tour the Washington State Archives in Olympia after hours and in the dark. We've brought some Washingtonians back from the dead to tell their stories.
7th Annual Combined Fund Drive Masquerade Ball...
358 photos
The Combined Fund Drive sponsored the seventh annual Olympia Masquerade Ball Charity Gala on October 20, 2018 with food, wine, dancing and a casino night in the historic State Capitol Building.
We're Talkin' Softball... September 2018
163 photos
Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Governor Jay Inslee's teams went head-to-head last week, continuing the softball rivalry between the offices that started in 1969. Washington State Supreme Court...
2018 OSOS All-Staff Appreciation Picnic,...
172 photos
1968: The Year that Rocked Washington, September...
519 photos
An exhibition of this year’s Legacy Washington project “1968: The Year that Rocked Washington” opened Thursday in the Legislative Building, where it will be on display throughout the coming...
1968 USMC Evergreen State Platoon 3041 50th...
166 photos
The 1968 “Evergreen State Platoon / Platoon 3041,” a special Marine Corps State of Washington recruit unit that went through boot camp together, held its 50th Anniversary Reunion on Thursday,...
Aberdeen Armory Fire Recovery Efforts, Summer 2018
246 photos
At the State Records Center Annex, archivists and librarians began sorting through the recovered materials from the Aberdeen Historical Society blaze to determine the extent of the damage and how to...
Aberdeen Armory Fire Recovery: June 12, 2018
274 photos
Washington State Archivist Steve Excell and several staff archivists traveled to the destroyed Aberdeen Armory to assist in the recovery of the film, photographs, and records of the Aberdeen Museum...
12Tour in Olympia, May 2018
228 photos
The Seahawks 12 Tour stops for a rally at the State Capitol in Olympia on Friday, May 25th.
Public Service Recognition Week 2018
129 photos
The Office of Financial Management and Office of Secretary of State are proud to host this year's Public Service Recognition Week. The week is filled with celebrations and events all around the...
Puget Sound Branch Archives 20th Anniversary Open...
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The Washington State Archives Puget Sound Branch celebrated 20 years at the Pritchard-Fleming Building on the campus of Bellevue College on March 27, 2018. Secretary of State Kim Wyman, State...
2018 Latino Legislative Day, February 2018
208 photos
Colorful flowing costumes twirled across the Capitol Rotunda floor as the sounds of traditional music and dance from Mexico echoed through the Legislative Building in Olympia, February 5, 2018.
2017 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck,...
190 photos
Legacy Washington's Korea 65 Exhibit Launch,...
318 photos
Eight Korean War veterans, four Korean Americans and two civilians affected by the Korean War, all profiled in a new exhibit and book about the war, have been honored at its official launch event in...
Tivoli Fountain Restoration, September 2017
207 photos
September 8, 2017
The idea for adding this spectacular fountain to the Capitol Campus was first conceived by Peter G. Schmidt during his visit to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1949. It was at that time that...
Daniel J. Evans Wilderness Dedication Ceremony,...
374 photos
Scenes from today’s dedication of the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness honoring former Washington State Governor and Senator Dan Evans.
The Daniel J. Evans Wilderness covers 876,447 acres, which...
Former Governor Spellman visits Capitol, June 2017
46 photos
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...
Legacy Washington Honors Those with Ties to...
239 photos, 1 video
As it prepares for the September launch of its new online program and exhibit called “Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered,” our Legacy Washington team gathered about 40 people who are either...
Honoring Washingtonians Who Served in the Great...
174 photos
The program began with a welcome by Jennifer Kilmer, Director of the Washington State Historical Society, followed by:
Posting of Colors by VFW Post 318 and Pledge of Allegiance
Remarks by State...
Original State Flag Visits the State Archives,...
108 photos
Cracks were evident on the hand-painted seal where the flag had once been folded. Through the overpaint one can see that corrections were made to the lettering from an earlier design. Its verdant...
Secretary of State Kim Wyman's Ceremonial...
168 photos
Kim Wyman began her second term as Washington’s 15th Secretary of State after being sworn into office before a joint legislative session Wednesday.
Later that afternoon, Wyman held a ceremonial...
Scenes Around the Governor's Inaugural Ball,...
183 photos
Preparations before the Main Program, as well as entertainment and chefs from culinary institutes around the state.
2017 Washington State Governor's Inaugural Ball...
298 photos
South Sound has hosted inaugural balls since 1853 when Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens was welcomed by a reception and a dinner to honor his arrival to the capital city.
2017 Seahawks Flag Raising and Rally, January 2017
179 photos
Former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant comes to Olympia and helps raise the Seahawks’ "12th Man" flag at the Capitol.
Documenting Democracy: 2016 Electoral College...
284 photos
Amid protests on the steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia, members of Washington’s Electoral College cast their votes for President. Eight electors cast ballots for Secretary Hillary...
Seattle Sounders' MLS Cup in Olympia, December...
129 photos
Colonial Dames Visit State Archives, November 2016
39 photos
In 1976, the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Washington voted to place their beloved George Washington letter on permanent loan with the State. This letter, dated...
2016 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck,...
113 photos
5th Annual Combined Fund Drive Masquerade Ball...
292 photos
The Combined Fund Drive sponsored the fifth annual Olympia Masquerade Ball Charity Gala on October 22, 2016 with food, wine, dancing and a casino night in the historic State Capitol Building.
Ancestry Day in Washington State, September 2016
28 photos
Ancestry, Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, Legacy Washington, and the Washington State Historical Society presented Ancestry Day in Washington State, September 24, 2016....
OSOS Employee Appreciation Picnic
279 photos
“Who ARE We?” Exhibit Opening, August 2016
236 photos
A new exhibit has opened at the State Capitol honoring Bill Ruckelshaus, Jolene Unsoeld and other extraordinary Washingtonians.
“Who are we?” launched in ceremonies Thursday. It features...
Voice of Irate Construction Employees (VOICE)...
60 photos
On October 16, 1969, Washington Governor Dan Evans faced a crowd of about 2,500 white construction workers protesting African-American trainees on publicly-financed building jobs. The vocal turnout...
2015 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck
140 photos
HistoryLunch, 50 Years with Dan Evans September...
84 photos
2015 marks half a century since Daniel J. Evans was sworn in as Governor. On September 30, C. R. Douglas, Q13 FOX News political analyst, looks at the last 50 years of Washington’s history with...
Washington Remembers Exhibit Opening, August 2015
320 photos
Marking the 70th anniversary of VJ Day that ended World War II, the Secretary of State has launched a new exhibit that features GIs in some of the most vicious fighting of the conflict, survivors of...
Centennial Commission Reunion
165 photos
Members of the 1989 Washington State Centennial Commission and its staff, as well as those who worked on Centennial projects, friends and supporters, and the 2014 leaders of the Capsule Keepers...
800th Anniversary of Magna Carta
278 photos
Washington state is joining the national and international celebration of today’s 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the foundational document for the rule of law and individual liberties. The...
Centennial Time Capsule Sealing Ceremony,...
154 photos
Washington‘s Centennial Time Capsule was sealed for the next 25 years during the ceremony at the State Capitol in which letters and artifacts collected last year will be added to the capsule.
The...
State Centennial Time Capsule sealed in Richland
61 photos
The 2014 capsule traveled to HiLine Engineering in Richland Thursday and was carefully packed full with items and messages from around the state and welded shut.
The time capsule project is guided...
Lawmakers honor former Governor Daniel J. Evans,...
93 photos
The Washington state Legislature honored Daniel J. Evans on January 14, marking 50 years, plus a day, since he was sworn in for the first of three terms as Washington state governor, on January 13,...
2015 Seahawks Flag Raising and Rally
147 photos
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell and Sea Gals come to Olympia to raise the Seahawks’ "12th Man" flag at the Capitol.
Washington Commemorates 125 Years of Statehood on...
537 photos
2014 Secretary of State Halloween Potluck
94 photos
Volunteer Recognition Event, 2014
60 photos
This year's event was held at the Western Village VIP Room at the Rodeo Grounds in Ellensburg. A delicious lunch was provided by Rodeo City BBQ and volunteers were treated to the musical stylings of...
Volunteer Recognition Event, 2013
85 photos
Each year, the Office of the Secretary of State hosts an event to thank the volunteers who devote their time and talents to making each division better than before.
This year's event was held on...
Capitol Campus, Olympia
2 photos