The WA state constitution will be on display for 3 hours this week. Here’s how to see it
The Secretary of State’s Office will provide the public with the opportunity to see the original Washington state Constitution on display in the Legislative Building on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 14.
From 1-4 p.m., visitors can view the document, which is typically stored in the Washington State Archives. The document will be in a protected display case. Experts from the archives will be available to answer questions and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host the exhibition.
“For more than 134 years, this constitution has guided every aspect of how our state is run,” Hobbs said in a news release. “It’s our history, and so much more as well. It’s an honor to host this opportunity for all Washingtonians to see what our state government is built on.”
This is the first time since 2014 that the constitution as been displayed publicly. It was last displayed during Washington’s 125th anniversary.
On July 4, 1889, 25 delegates chosen by the people in Washington convened in Olympia at the Territorial Capitol Building after being elected in May of that year to craft the state constitution. On August 22, the delegates adjourned. The constitution was ratified in October of that year, and on November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state.
This story was originally published September 12, 2023 at 1:46 PM.
