[Delegates of the constitutional convention at the Territorial Capitol, Olympia, Washington], 1889, Inauguration of Governor Ferry Photographs, 1889, Washington State Archives.

In the summer of 1889, seventy-five delegates from around Washington Territory convened in Olympia to take a major step towards securing statehood. Between July 4th and August 22nd, 1889, the delegation drafted the Washington State Constitution, forming the basis for all future Washington laws.

After the convention, Washington’s citizens would vote to accept the constitution in October of 1889. In addition to the ratification, voters would decide the location of the state capital, whether to accept a constitutional article granting women suffrage, and whether to accept a constitutional article prohibiting alcohol. A vote of 40,152 to 11,879 approved the Washington State Constitution. Olympia was selected as the state capital, and the two articles failed to get approval. At this time, only male citizens were allowed to vote and decide the question of women’s suffrage.

A certified copy of the Constitution of the State of Washington was sent by courier to President Benjamin Harrison in Washington, D.C., whose approval was necessary before Washington was proclaimed a state. Days went by with no word; finally on November 4, 1889, a message was received stating that Governor Moore forgot to sign the certified copy of the Constitution and President Harrison could not approve it. Overnight a new copy was prepared and sent to the President by courier the next day.

After receiving a certified copy of the Washington State Constitution, U.S. President Benjamin Harrison published a proclamation declaring Washington's Constitution approved. Washington was admitted to the Union on November 11th, 1889.

For one day only, join us at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma on September 17, 2026, to view the original 1889 Constitution of the State of Washington. Presented by the Office of the Secretary of State the Washington State Archives, this special event is part of Washington’s America250 celebrations and honors the Day of Civic Engagement.

Museum Admission is free on September 17th, 2026 from 1-7pm. Learn more about this event on the Washington State Historical Society’s website.