July
photo challenge


From our Washington State Department of Transportation photo collection, here is a picture of the original version of an infamous bridge back when it was still afloat. Which bridge is it and when did it collapse?

Click image to view larger version.
This 1890 photo shows a Washington city's first fire station, established after a devastating fire the year before.

There were at least three notable Washington cities ravaged by fire in 1889: Seattle, Ellensburg, and the site of this photo, Spokane. This is a rare occasion where most of the guesses were incorrect. However, everyone who took a second (and maybe a third) guess eventually got the correct answer. Someone even said Spokane Falls, which was the name of the city at the time.
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has appointed Heather Hirotaka, a longtime public servant, as the next Washington State Archivist, effective July 5, 2022.

Hirotaka will oversee Washington State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) that collects and preserves the state’s historical records and makes them available to the public, including researchers, historians, educators, students, journalists, and government agencies. With branches in Bellevue, Bellingham, Cheney, Ellensburg, and Olympia, the State Archives offers local, dedicated research and customer service, and records-management education and training.

Hirotaka is the first woman to serve as Washington State Archivist. She joined the OSOS in 2017, and in 2018 was named... keep reading
Legacy Washington unites with
State Archives
This month, Legacy Washington (Legacy) officially united with Washington State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS). Previously, Legacy was part of the OSOS's now-defunct Community Programs division.

Many of our readers already know about Legacy, but if you are not familiar, visit its website and check out the many oral histories as told through exhibits, books, events, and learning plans. Legacy's projects highlight the plethora of people who have molded the great state of Washington.

This newsletter and OSOS social media channels are great ways to learn about future Legacy activity.
The second annual Thurston Throwback — a conglomerate of historical organizations, including Washington State Archives and Washington State Library — will be back at the Thurston County Fair on Sunday, July 31, after a two-year hiatus.

The group will be stationed in the pole barn next to the rides and 4-H animals. There will be several tables hosting hands-on activities based on this year's theme.

There is no additional charge on top of fair admission.
Legacy Washington has released a new book. It is the remarkable story of Dan Evans' life from childhood to active retirement, from three-term governor of the Evergreen State to U.S. Senator in the "other" Washington.

The book is available for purchase here.
All Washington State Archives branches are open to the public.

Appointments are highly recommended. Contact a certain branch for COVID protocols as they may vary.

Go here for more information, including how to contact each branch to set up an appointment.