Centuries of WA history with a festive flourish. Tour the Governor’s Mansion this December
Ever wondered what it’s like to spend the holidays in the household of Washington’s seat of power? To walk the halls of the Governor’s Mansion while it’s adorned in floral arrangements, Christmas lights and seasonal décor?
Now, the Governor’s Mansion Foundation is giving you a chance.
The foundation is opening the doors to the mansion, the official residence of the Washington governor, for one week in December to the public for tours of the 25-plus room building.
There are morning and afternoon tours on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. There will be 10 tours per day on a first-come, first-serve basis only through online reservations a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Tours typically fill up quickly, though, and are currently open.
Each tour is open to 15 guests and lasts for about 30 minutes. The first tour each day begins at 10 a.m., and subsequent tours occur at every 30-minute interval until the final one starts at 2:30 p.m.
Masks are required for the duration of the tour. Adults must present photo identification upon arrival, and an adult must accompany children under 18.
For questions or additional information, contact the Washington State Capitol Tour Office at 360-902-8880 or by emailing tours@des.wa.gov and including “Gov. Mansion Tours” in the subject line.
What will you see on the tour?
You’ve probably seen pictures of the White House looking its festive best during the holidays, and you can expect a similar scene in the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.
The Governor’s Mansion was designed and built in 1908, making it the oldest building on Olympia’s Capitol Campus. Along with being able to enjoy the mansion’s holiday décor, you will also get to see the mansion’s permanent collection of antique furnishings and artwork, including wall-sized murals of famous Washington state scenes in the dining room.
Much of the mansion’s permanent furniture comes from the American Federal Era. This period is considered the three decades in the late 1700s following the United States’ formation as a country when much of the country’s furniture was still inspired by neoclassical designs favored in the United Kingdom.
The mansion is also home to a recently-commissioned piece of artwork from Yakama Nation artist Leo Adams called “Reservation View.” Adams has worked as an artist in the Pacific Northwest for almost 50 years, famous for his painting techniques and color palette, as well as his ability to take ordinary everyday materials and assemble them in unusual ways.
“The Foundation has recently updated its Art Acquisition Plan to better reflect the diverse people of the State and acknowledge their contributions to our collective history,” Mary Elizabeth Karpel, chairperson of the art committee for the mansion, stated in a news release.
“So, we are very delighted that Mr. Adams agreed to do this piece for us,” she continued. “He is known internationally, and his prior work reflects pieces we’d like to have in our collection.”
Other notable artists that have artwork displayed in the mansion include neoclassical artist Rembrandt Peale, blown glass artist Dale Chihuly and 20th-century artist Edwin Chapman, who painted the mural in the dining room.
