Heads up, history buffs and political junkies: the original 1889 Constitution of the State of Washington is coming out of the vault and into the public eye. It's just for a brief spell, mind you, on Monday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the Governor’s office will play host to this foundational document.
In an effort to celebrate the advent of the 2026 Legislative session, the Washington State Archives, is rolling out the parchment for visitors to dive into the state's governmental origins. Just remember, security is tight—a trooper will be standing guard and, the constitution itself nestled safely within a glass case. For those itching to unearth deeper insights, resident experts from the State Archives will be around, ready to dish out answers to the curious, "The constitution shows Washington residents how our state’s government got its start more than 135 years ago,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs remarked in a statement obtained by the Washington State's Secretary of State.
This isn't just a stroll through history for its own sake—the State Patrol is ensuring the constitution's safe passage to and from the Capitol building for the viewing, highlighting the reverence and importance placed on this piece of history. Created during the summer of 1889's Constitutional Convention, by 75 industrious elected delegates, this document is no less than the framework upon which the entire Washington State government is built. Later that year, it was none other than U.S. President Benjamin Harrison who gave the state constitution his stamp of approval, ushering Washington into the union as its 42nd member.
The significance of housing this document at the Governor’s office, even transiently is noteworthy, allowing people a tangible connection to the legislative legacy upon which the state operates. As an extension of bringing history to life, those who cannot attend this display can still access a digital version of the constitution, made available by the Washington State Digital Archives.
