Governor’s Mansion offering tours this week and next

Reservations are required and only 200 are available

The Washington State Governor's Mansion, shown on the lower right, is located immediately west of the Legislative Building (Capitol).

Photo by Danny Stusser

This view of the Washington State Governor's Mansion is from the east.

Photo by Danny Stusser

Posted Monday, January 1, 2024 7:52 pm

By P. Jade Asumbrado

The Governor’s Mansion, located to the west of the Capitol Building, will celebrate the 115th anniversary of its first housewarming events.

The mansion was completed in December 1908 and two housewarming ceremonies were held in late January 1909, one for the public and one for the legislature and state officers.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Governor’s Mansion Foundation will host special tours on Wednesday mornings, January 3 and 10, on four timeslots – 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

Each time slot is open to 25 guests and is hosted by the mansion’s foundation docents. Visitors will visit nine public rooms of the Georgian-style mansion, located on a bluff overlooking Capitol Lake, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains.

Reservations are available at the Department of Enterprise Services’ website at https://apps.des.wa.gov/mansion/mansion.aspx, through the online Mansion Tour request form.

Visitors must walk a 200-yard incline up the Mansion. Campus parking is limited so see the Capitol Campus Interactive Map https://des.wa.gov/about/contact-us/capitol-campus-interactive-map. People with special needs will be encouraged to check the box on the registration link to let the organizers know.

The press release stated that reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. However, tours fill up fast so the earlier you make your reservation, the better. For questions or additional information, please email the State Capitol Tour Office at tours@des.wa.gov (put “Gov. Mansion Tours” in the subject line). Adult tour guests must present photo identification and all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Masks are not required. No umbrellas, strollers, or food/drink will be allowed on the tour. The Mansion is accessible to wheelchairs and walkers.

A waiting list is maintained for these tours and those not showing up for their scheduled times do limit others wanting to attend. To cancel a reservation, call the tour office at 360-902-8880.