Southwest Regional Branch
The Southwest Regional Branch provides archival and records management services to local government agencies throughout Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties.
The Collections at the Southwest Region
Local government records include those from county offices such as the Auditor, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the Board of Commissioners, and from municipalities, school districts, and other service districts. Only a small percentage of the records created by these offices are transferred to the State Archives as archival records. They are selected as archival for their value as legal and historical evidence of policy development, implementation, and effect. The transfer of records to the State Archives is an ongoing process. Some historical records remain with their originating office pending future transfer to the Archives.
Records Management Services
The Southwest Regional Branch also acts as a regional resource to local governments in the area of public records and information management. These services include consultation, workshops, and the coordination of additional services.
Consultation - Branch staff can provide consultation on a variety of records and information management topics, including the implementation of authorized records retention schedules, establishing a records management program, records destruction, files management, essential records protection, and disaster preparedness. Consultation occurs both by telephone and by scheduled on-site visits.
Workshops - Branch staff also participate in workshops concentrating on various records management topics. Workshops typically are designed for specific client groups with similar records management concerns, and are intended to provide attendees with the basic tools for managing public records according to approved retention schedules. Workshops are offered both to statewide organizations and to individual local groups.
Coordination of additional services - Branch staff can also assist local agencies in coordinating services not provided by the Regional Branch. This includes consultation in the areas of document imaging, conversion of CD-ROM to microfilm, document destruction, and off-site records storage.
Contact the Southwest Regional Branch
| Hours |
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday through Friday (excluding state holidays) |
| Location |
1129 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504 |
| Mailing Address |
Washington State Archives
Southwest Regional Branch
PO Box 40238
Olympia, Washington 98504-0238 |
| Email |
SWBranchArchives@sos.wa.gov |
| Telephone |
(360) 753-1684 |
| Fax |
(360) 664-8814 |
Directions:
I-5 Southbound:
From I-5 south take exit 105A; follow the "State Capitol" lane that parallels the freeway for 1/4 mile.
At the second traffic light (Capitol Way, the first light after the tunnel), turn right. Turn right again at the next traffic light (11th Ave.). At the next traffic light (Washington St.), turn right once more.
The Archives building is on the right side of Washington Street, just before the entrance to the Plaza Garage.
I-5 Northbound:
From I-5 north take exit 105; keep to the left; follow the "State Capitol" lane.
At the second traffic light (Capitol Way, the first light after the tunnel), turn right. Turn right again at the next traffic light (11th Ave.). At the next traffic light (Washington St.), turn right once more.
The Archives building is on the right side of Washington Street, just before the entrance to the Plaza Garage.
Capitol Campus Map
Parking:
Three free parking spaces in front of the Archives building are available for Archives researchers only. Additional parking is available for a fee of $1.50 per hour on Level P1 of the Department of Natural Resources parking lot located across from the Archives building on Washington Street. Metered street parking is also available a few blocks to the north on Washington Street. Please note there is no visitor parking in the Plaza Garage.
Transit:
There is a bus stop on the western side of the Archives building on Capitol Way. For bus routes and schedules, see the Intercity Transit website at http://www.intercitytransit.com
Research & Copy Fee Schedule:
There is no charge to request and to view these public archival documents; however, certain fees do exist for document copies, photographic reproductions, and for special research services by Archives staff.
Research Policy & Fee Schedule