About the Office
Reed champions new Washington State Heritage Center to feature and protect state’s unique legacy |
« Back |
News Release
Issued: January 04, 2007
Olympia...Secretary of State Sam Reed unveiled today his historic proposal to build a Washington State Heritage Center, designed to celebrate and better protect Washington’s legacy for future generations.
"This building will be a center for the priceless, historical treasures of the State Archives, the State Library and the State Capital Museum’s exhibits," said Reed. "Colorful displays and interactive exhibits will immerse visitors in the story of our past, and inspire a thirst for all history has to offer."
The Heritage Center is included in Governor Christine Gregoire’s proposed capital budget and, if adopted will be the first new building on the west Capitol Campus in almost a half century. A predesign was completed in August 2006.
"In Washington D.C. you can walk inside the National Archives and you are blown away by history," said Reed. "Visitors immediately get a sense of our nation, who we are and what we believe. Visitors to our State Capitol deserve the same."
Combining the State Archives and the State Library is a great asset for the public, researchers, genealogists, and students. One location provides access to collections from these two vital services of state government, increased hours, improved preservation facilities, conference rooms, and adequate display space for the precious collections vital to our democracy.
Today, the State Library and the State Archives are full, with collections spread among four separate locations. Offsite storage facilities are currently used for overflow. These facilities do not meet security or environmental requirements for housing or preserving history, and makes public access difficult.
"For the first time, the story of Washington would be told at the seat of government, on the Capitol Campus for visitors and tourists," explained Reed. "Visitors would start their journey of Washington at the Heritage Center to learn from videos, clips, and view interactive exhibits."
A preferred location for the building overlooks Capitol Lake and is built into the hillside, where the natural hillside temperature and humidity are ideal for preservation.
In addition to the current rent for the State Library and State Archives buildings, funding for the Heritage Center would be provided by a new one-time $5 fee for initial domestic corporate filings, a $2 surcharge for recording instruments with the County Auditor, and private funding.
"Libraries and archives play a critical role in our state," said Reed. "They take the knowledge of the past and present, and preserve it for those who live here 100 years from now. Our mission is to preserve and collect the records of government, our history, and our culture for the people of Washington."
To learn more about this historic project visit www.secstate.wa.gov/heritage.
