OLYMPIA — In recognition of the 2023 National Library Week (4th week of April), the Governor’s Mansion Foundation has created “Library Only” tours that will focus strictly on the Mansion Library on Wednesdays April 5 and 12th 2023 at 11:30 a.m. Regular mansion tours of all the public rooms of the mansion will also be available on those days at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. If you want to attend both tours – Library and Regular – you must make two separate reservations.
The “Library Focus” tours will be partly lecture and partly hands-on discovery and visitors will only visit the library on the main floor. Visitors will learn about the library’s rare books, Washington State history and personalities, and donors to the library. Visitors will also gain an appreciation for how the Governor’s Mansion Library committee documents and preserves history. Visitors will enter and leave the Mansion by the front door, walk through the Drawing Room coming and going, and remain in the library for 45 minutes. Due to space limitations, tours can only seat 10 guests.
For reservations, please visit the Department of Enterprise Services website at Tours | Department of Enterprise Services (DES) (wa.gov) to complete an online Mansion Tour request form. 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 contact the State Capitol Tour Office at 360.902.8880 or email at tours@des.wa.gov (please put in subject line Gov. Mansion Tours).
The tours are hosted by the Governor’s Mansion Foundation docents. The circa-1908 Mansion is the oldest building on Olympia’s Capitol Campus. Adult tour guests must present photo identification and all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
No umbrellas, strollers, or food/drink will be allowed on the tour. Masks are not required. The Mansion is accessible to wheelchairs and walkers. Visitors must walk a 200-yard incline up to the entrance. Campus parking near the Governor’s Mansion is limited please see Capitol Campus Interactive Map | Department of Enterprise Services (wa.gov) .
The Governor’s Mansion Foundation is an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization and is not associated with the Governor or the Governor’s office. To learn more on becoming a “Friend of the Mansion”, or for more information on GMF, visit www.wagovmansion.org.