George Washington Williams Memorial Room
The George Washington Williams Memorial Room honors Ohio’s first African-American legislator. In addition to images of
Williams, the 1860s style room features photographs of other African-Americans who followed Williams in the legislature.
Williams was a Civil War veteran and ordained minister who took up the study of law while living in Cincinnati. He was
elected to represent Hamilton County, serving one term in the House from 1880-1881. Afterward, he became a respected,
published historian and was engaged in the cause of civil justice. He died at the age of 41 while in England.
Visit GeorgeWashingtonWilliams.org