The Governor’s Mansion is the official residence of our governor. Built in 1908 and first occupied in 1909, the Governor’s Mansion is the oldest building on the state Capitol’s West Campus. It has been fully restored and furnished with many antiques from the American Federal period (1790s-1830s). As part of the State Capitol Historic District, the Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as individually on the National Votes for Women Trail.
Tours
Tours are every half-hour, occurring at 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., with the exception of December tours that occur 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tours are 35-40 minutes and require a reservation.
Reserve a Tour
Visit the Department of Enterprise Services’ website to complete an online reservation: https://capitol.wa.gov/tours/governors-mansion-tours.
2026 Tour Schedule:
February 4 & 11 – Black History Month – On display Jacob Lawrence prints of the George Bush Series depict the western journey of George and Isabella Bush and their family from Missouri, arriving in what is now Tumwater in 1845.The original art is in the collection of the Washington State Historical Society. The prints are courtesy of the Washington State Supreme Court, copyright 2026, The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
March 4 & 11 – Women’s History Month – In honor of Women’s History Month, tours of the Governor’s Mansion on March 4th and 11th will feature the history of women on the Washington State Supreme Court, including portraits of three women justices Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Mary Ju and G. Helen Whitener in the ballroom courtesy of the Supreme Court. The Mansion’s West Corridor displays chronological portraits of the state’s first ladies and women governors.
April 1 & 8 – Library Month – During April Library Month, tours of the Governor’s Mansion will feature newly donated books for the private library. A highlight of the collection is 20 books from the personal library of Elisha Ferry, the First governor of Washington State. The entire library has come from donors over the years. No taxpayer money has ever been spent on this collection of books focused on Washington State history, personalities, art, authors and geography.
May 6 & 13 – Historical Tour of the Executive Mansion’s public spaces.
June 3 & 10 – Historical Tour of the Executive Mansion’s public spaces.
July 1 & 8 – WA State America’s 250 – Quilts on display from the local community.
October 7 & 14 – Historical Tour of the Executive Mansion’s public spaces.
November 4 – Celebrating Statehood
December 2 & 9 – Holiday Tours (reservations available in November)
