“We encourage everyone to join us to celebrate the Supreme Court’s home, the Temple of Justice, which was the first of five magnificent buildings constructed that make up the Capitol Campus today,” said Justice Charlie Wiggins, Chair of the Temple of Justice Centennial Committee.   

 

The party will begin at noon with a brief program, including welcoming comments from Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and remarks by Justice Wiggins on the Temple’s history. Birthday cake and coffee will be served, and members of the public are welcome to tour the building, with escorted tours starting at 2 p.m. 

 

Home to the Washington Supreme Court and the Washington State Law Library, the Temple of Justice was first opened to the public for the Inaugural Ball of Governor Ernest Lister on January 15, 1913. The building was designed by Walter R. Wilder and Harry K. White, New York architects who won a national competition in 1911 to build the comprehensive Capitol group complex. The Temple of Justice was the first of the Capitol group to be constructed.

 

At the birthday celebration, historical reenactors of Wilder and White will be present. A website dedicated to the Temple of Justice Centennial, its history, and upcoming events can be found online at www.templecentennial.wa.gov 

 

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