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June 2005 IBEW Journal

The IBEW opened its doors to showcase
its modern new home on April 21.

With the help of the international vice presidents and international executive council members, International President Edwin D. Hill and Secretary-Treasurer Jon Walters hoisted the union’s flag on a flagpole on top of the structure, beside the American and Canadian flags, and unveiled the cornerstone dedicating the building. A snip of a blue ribbon completed the ceremony.

Approximately 1,500 members and guests streamed through the metal and glass structure in downtown Washington, D.C., in the city’s northwest section where its presence is announced to all by large "IBEW" signs on its south and west corners. Many of those who attended the open house were in Washington for the Building and Construction Trades, AFL-CIO, meeting and the IBEW Construction and Maintenance Conference.

Upon entering through the special IBEW foyer, visitors received a brochure containing a self-guided tour of the four IBEW floors of the 11-story building. With that, they were free to wander the contemporary, industrial-style building at will.

IBEW employees were stationed on every floor to informally guide visitors through the heart of the International Office, from the temporary archives exhibit one floor below the main level, to the rooftop terrace level where solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

A temporary archives exhibit was set up for visitors while the permanent IBEW archives are developed. The temporary exhibition contains narrative descriptions of seminal IBEW events in chronological order starting with its founding in 1891.

Local 292, Minneapolis, Minnesota, organizer Robbie Crofoot said he was impressed with the view from the observation deck and the space efficiencies. "The I.O. is using less space and renting floors out," he said. "It should be a great investment for the IBEW."

See more pictures of the grand opening in the Photo Gallery.