Mother Joseph Statue
Mother Joseph (1823-1902) is remembered for her contributions to the Pacific Northwest through her good works. In 1856 Mother Joseph was chosen to lead a group of five nuns from Montreal to the Pacific Northwest Territories of the United States. The five nuns incorporated in 1859 as the Sisters of Charity of the House of Providence in the Territory of Washington, one of the oldest existing corporations in Washington. Over the next 46 years, Mother Joseph designed and/or supervised construction of more than 30 schools, orphanages and hospitals, including Olympia’s first hospital. She is recognized as one of the first architects in Washington Territory. Mother Joseph also initiated the popular Providence “ticket”, a pioneer form of medical insurance.
Her stature was created by Felix de Weldon and dedicated in 1980.