The idea of a governor's mansion was beginning to gain traction in the early 20th century, particularly among the newly formed Western states. This is when the Washington State governor's mansion got its start. An opulent mansion reserved for the governor was one way a state could proclaim to the world that it had arrived and assumed significance.
The cornerstone of Washington’s Mansion was laid in August of 1908 by Governor Albert Mead, who was voted out of office before its construction was done. Governor Samuel Cosgrove, who succeeded him, passed away prior to assuming office because he was very sick at the beginning of his term.
The first to live at the Washington Governor's Mansion were Lt. Governor Marion Hay (who had been unexpectedly promoted to governor) and his wife, Lizzie Muir Hay. The Hay family moved into the mansion in the spring of 1909.
Since its inception, the Mansion has been intended to serve as both a venue for public gatherings and a private home. Every attempt was made to use goods and contractors from Washington. The house's bricks were shipped in from Seattle; the wood roof shingles were made in Olympia; the sandstone for the trim was quarried in Tenino; and the lime for the mortar was obtained from the San Juan Islands.
Listen now to learn more about this timeless treasure of the Evergreen State!

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