Heritage Center

Decked out in a Union general’s uniform from the Civil War, Secretary Reed addresses the crowd gathered Tuesday night for the grand opening of the new, privately funded exhibit on Isaac Stevens, Washington Territory’s first governor who later was a Civil War general.

Despite Washington's notoriously long (okay, endless) rainy season, Washingtonians tend to be ambivalent about the use of umbrellas. The following is a typical conversation in a Washington workplace... Jill: "Ack, it's pouring! It wasn't pouring two minutes ago when I was packing up for lunch." Jane: "Give it two minutes, and it'll stop." Jill: "What do you think? Should I bring my umbrella?" Jane: "No." Jill: "But I don't want to ruin my suit." Jane: "Fine, then take an umbrella." Jill: "Okay...[looks for umbrella under desk]...um, I can't find my umbrella.