The Washington governorship comes with a minimum of one perk: residence in a 1908 Georgian mansion tucked behind the capitol dome. Constructed quick by the bottom bidder, the mansion has wanted in depth work over time, together with a large-scale renovation led by the Evans administration within the Seventies. Most high executives enable common public excursions of the primary flooring guided by members of the nonprofit Governor’s Mansion Basis; the free excursions replenish quick, particularly throughout the vacation.
Mosaic State Seal
Entryway
The duplicate of Washington’s official emblem exhibits off the straightforward seal made by Olympia jeweler Charles Talcott. When state officers offered him with a cluttered mock-up, he as a substitute sketched a brand new design, utilizing an inkwell and silver coil to hint concentric circles, then slapped a postage stamp with George Washington’s face within the center.
Grandfather Clock
Stairwell
When Marion Hay and his spouse, Lizzie, moved into the brand-new mansion in 1909, it was their job to furnish it. The clock they purchased from Seattle division retailer Frederick and Nelson is without doubt one of the solely unique furnishings left, and it was reliably ticking till it misplaced time in spring 2024.
Czech Crystal Chandeliers
Ballroom
Although most of its furnishings have been changed throughout the mansion’s Seventies renovations, the glowing lighting fixtures date again to its 1908 beginnings—although a sudden lack of energy and lightweight throughout one among Albert Rosellini’s formal dinners beneath the sparklers was one of many causes for the overhaul.
Visitor E book
Gallery
Cracked open to his signature, the leather-based visitor register exhibits off the 1945 go to of then-Governor Wallgren’s buddy President Harry S. Truman, who frolicked whereas ready to attend a United Nations formation summit in San Francisco. Truman killed time by fishing with the governor and throwing snowballs on the Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier.
Elisha Ferry’s Books
Library
Although many of the 1,500 volumes on the cabinets right here cowl state historical past, the squat volumes on the heart truly belonged to the primary governor after statehood. They replicate his contemplative pursuits: faith and poetry.
George Washington by Rembrandt Peale
Drawing Room
Bought in 1999 for $250,000, the porthole-style portrait comes from an artist who truly acquired to color the primary president from a reside sitting—although this model was made years after that one-on-one.
Sterling Silver Service
State Eating Room
Per custom, town of Olympia offered a set of silver platters, pitchers, and candlesticks to its naval namesake, the cruiser-class USS Olympia. After the ship served within the Spanish-American Conflict and escorted the stays destined for Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after World Conflict I, it was decommissioned. The navy later loaned the silver again to town (however nonetheless technically owns it).
Jay Inslee’s Oeuvre
Household Room
In a home hung with stately landscapes and nonetheless lifes, this extra informal nook of the primary flooring seems to be extra fashionable for a purpose—virtually each art work was made by Governor Inslee. In his spare time, the governor paints on the upstairs household kitchen desk.
Entrance Door
Porch
Of their three phrases as full-time residents of the mansion, Jay and Trudi Inslee invited the general public to trick-or-treat, a mansion Halloween custom. They provide out full-size sweet bars from native makers, gown as much as a theme, and retailer their nine-foot plastic skeleton within the attic within the offseason.
Garden and Backyard
Exterior
The vegetable backyard produces sufficient to donate to a neighborhood meals financial institution, although the apple timber have been the supply of a mistakenly maggot-filled present Governor Inslee gave to Jap Washington counties after a wildfire in 2020.
