Legislative Building vandalism caused minimum of $623,000 in damage
Costs may increase as restoration continues
The night of Oct. 5, an intruder broke into the Legislative Building and damaged areas of the buildings and its contents, primarily in the Rotunda and the State Reception Room. View the list of damages and estimated costs.
"As the steward of the historic Capitol Campus' buildings and artifacts, DES has worked diligently to reopen spaces and ensure the safety of everyone who visits and works here," said DES Director Matt Jones. "DES will be working with our historic preservation and campus stewardship partners to find preservation options that most responsibly use state resources."
By Oct. 10, DES had replaced the shattered glass, removed the burn marks from the marble stairs in the Rotunda, repaired the broken elevator card reader, cleaned up debris, secured spaces and started planning security improvements.
DES has been comprehensively cataloguing and redressing the damage. Some repairs will require expertise, such as the historic artifacts and surfaces.
The State Reception Room, home to the teak floor, historic rug, drapes, and piano that were damaged, will be open during the 2026 legislative session. State legislators use the room to meet schoolchildren from their home districts who are taking field trips through the building.
DES submitted insurance claims on Nov. 12 under two policies that cover the state-- one that covers contents and one that covers fine arts. At this time, funding for the repairs is coming from DES' operating budget.
DES submitted damage estimates to Washington State Patrol and the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office as part of the criminal case.