Rhododendron, the state flower

Rhododendron, the state flower

In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for women throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower. In 1959, the Legislature designated the native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington. Includes item numbers AR-07809001-ph004860 ; AR-07809001-ph004859 ; AR-07809001-ph004861

State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives. Original images held at the Washington State Archives, Olympia, WA.

Washington State Digital Archives

1930-1945

1 photographic print : b&w ; 10 x 8 in.1 photomechanical print : color ; 9.5 x 6.25 in.1 photographic print : color, mounted ; 8.5 x 5.3 in.