Tour of the Washington State Capitol Part 1 November 16, 2025

Описание: Brief History
In 1889, U.S. Congress authorizes Washington to become the 42nd state
In 1893 New York Architect Ernest Flagg is selected to build the new capitol building. The foundation is completed but halted in 1894 due to lack of funding. It sat unused for nearly 30 years.
In 1901, the state purchases the 1892 Thurston County Courthouse to be used as the Legislative Chambers for the next 23 years.
In 1911, a nationwide competition is held for a “group concept” for the Capitol Campus. New York architects Walter R. Wilder and Harry K. White won.
In 1922, above ground construction starts on the state capitol building.
In 1928, the state capitol building is completed

Capitol Building
The brick and sandstone dome is the tallest masonry dome in North America measures 287 feet tall (84.47 m) from the ground to the top of the cupola. The exterior sandstone came from Wilkerson, Washington. The granite steps and the foundation pieces came from Index, Washington. Maxfield Keck of New York designed the building’s sculptural elements in sandstone, bronze and plaster, many of which were carved in place by master craftsmen. Tiffany Studios created many of the light fixtures. After its completion, no other capitols in the U.S. were built in this classical style.

North Foyer/Main Entrance
At the main entrance, six large cast-bronze doors feature relief images of early industry and scenic beauty in Washinton State. Inside there are two statues. The first is of Marcus Whitman, a trained physician who was instrumental in bringing American settlers to Washington. The second replica is Mother Joseph, who was responsible for the construction of many hospitals, orphanages, and schools in the Northwest. The public hallways and the rotunda are clad in marble from Alaska.

Rotunda Floor
Hanging from the rotunda ceiling on a 101-foot-long chain (30.48 m) is an ornate 5-ton bronze chandelier containing more than 200 light bulbs. It was created in Tiffany Studios in New York and traveled west by train. The chandelier was assembled and installed in the rotunda during the final stages of construction in 1928. The four statuesque lights, also created by Tiffany Studios, are in the four corners of the rotunda. The state seal is embedded in the center of the rotunda floor. In 1889, the Washington State seal was created by Olympian jewelers Charles Talcott, L. Grant Talcott and G. N. Talcott.

Statues and busts in the capitol building
The Marcus Whitman Statue in the Washington State Capitol was created by sculptor Avard Fairbanks and was dedicated in 1953.

The Mother Joseph Statue in the Washington State Capitol is a replica of the Mother Joseph Statue by sculptor Félix W. de Weldon that is displayed in the U.S. National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington D.C. The replica was dedicated at the Washington State Capitol on October 9, 1980.

The Bust of George Washington was created by sculptor Arvard Fairbanks. It was a donation from the Mother Joseph Foundation and installed in 1984.

The Martin Luther King Jr. bust by local artist, Jeff Day, was presented to the State of Washington by the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission on January 19, 1986, which was the first celebration of the state and national Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
(Pamphlet from Washington State Capitol Campus and Internet research)