Gregoire: Gov's mansion good for 100 more years

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Celebrating the centennial of the governor's mansion, Gov. Chris Gregoire says renovations since the 1970s have left the stately landmark by the state Capitol ready for another 100 years. Ankle-length dresses and top hats were the order of the day Friday as more than 300 invited guests attended a garden party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for the mansion, initially built to host distinguished visitors who came to the state for the Alaska-Pacific-Yukon Exposition Seattle in 1909. After six decades the mansion was plagued with outdated wiring and poor heating until efforts by then-first lady Nancy Evans and others led to an overhaul and formation of the Governors Mansion Foundation in 1972 to raise money for continued upkeep. "They said, `We'll forever... [read full story]