Flags in State Reception Room
Prior to its removal to the Washington State Archives in 2017, the original Washington state flag was on display in the State Reception Room. On February 21, 1929 the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lady Sterling Chapter, presented this state flag to a joint session of the Legislature. The flag/banner was received by Governor Ronald H. Hartley in behalf of the State. The original green background has faded over time, but the gold fringe and paint remain vibrant. The Sterling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is currently working on a replica of the original flag to be placed on display at a future date.
On the west wall of the reception room, protected behind a fiber glass case, hangs an original Washington State forty-two-star flag, remaining from statehood celebrations in 1889. The 42-star flag was never an official flag of the United States due to Idaho’s admission into the union on July 3, 1890. The following day July 4, 1890, the official flag of the United States of America was christened with 43 stars. This rare and well preserved flag was donated to the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office by the Thomas Wade Marsh family of Olympia.