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2015 Archives Month celebrates WA bridges
We are celebrating our annual Archives Month in October by making Washington’s historic bridges this year’s theme. Find out about upcoming events around the state and view the photo gallery.

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"Out of the Archives" Newsletters
Started in October 2013, the newsletter provides readers with helpful information on how to access and best use the collections of the Archives as well as stories of interest regarding what staff is working on and discovering.

Belle Reeves
Belle Reeves: Her Life and Legacy
Belle Reeves was appointed Washington's eighth Secretary of State in February, 1938, by Governor Clarence Martin. She served two-and-a-half terms. She was Washington State’s first woman elected as Secretary of State. Learn more about the life and career of Belle Reeves in this video narrated by Secretary of State Kim Wyman.

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Digital Archives
Search for your ancestors in our collection of Washington Census and Naturalization Records at the Digital Archives.

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Records Management Training
Free workshops are available on a variety of records management topics including records management basics, electronic records, disaster preparedness and more. 

Archives News

  • Local Records Committee Meeting

    The Local Records Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 10am. This open public meeting will take place at Washington State Archives, 1129 Washington Street SE, Olympia. View minutes and agenda packets. For further information, contact recordsmanagement@sos.wa.gov.

  • New Training Video

    Washington State Archives has launched its new YouTube channel with a training video – How to Assemble an Archives Box

  • Managing Text Messages

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    Advice on how to manage public records created or received as text messages is available.

  • Destruction of Non-Archival Paper Records After Imaging

    Washington State Archives has released the new Requirements for the Destruction of Non-Archival Paper Records After Imaging. More information is available here.

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Contact Info

Steve Excell, State Archivist

Location: 1129 Washington Street SE Olympia

Email State Archivist: archives@sos.wa.gov

Research Requests and Information about Public Records:
research@sos.wa.gov

Mail: PO BOX 40238
OLYMPIA WA 98504-0238

Telephone: (360) 586-1492

Records Management Email:
recordsmanagement@sos.wa.gov
  • Archives Branches
    • Digital Archives
    • State Archives
    • Central Region
    • Eastern Region
    • Puget Sound Region
    • Northwest Region
    • Southwest Region
  • Research
    • Digital Archives Search
    • Search Branch Archival Records
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Genealogy
  • Teachers & Students
  • Records Management
    • State Agencies
    • Local Governments
  • Records Center
  • Imaging Services
  • WSHRAB
  • ERSC
  • Archives Oversight Committee
  • Historical Records Project
  • Paper Records Reduction Workgroup

Branches / Repositories

  • Digital Archives
  • State Archives
  • Northwest Region
  • Southwest Region
  • Central Region
  • Eastern Region
  • Puget Sound Region

Contact Us

Washington Secretary of State
State Archives
1129 Washington Street SE
PO Box 40238
Olympia, WA 98504-0238
(360) 586-1492

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