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Ohio Statehouse Museum

Audience

The Statehouse serves a diverse, multigenerational audience. Each year, teachers bring groups of Ohio K-12 school children from every county in the state. Families visit the Statehouse to see the building, watch the legislature in session and participate in public programs. Historians and scholars come to study and reflect upon the building’s grand symbolic architecture. Legislators work here and welcome constituents and professional colleagues.

Ohio School Children

Ohio school children represent the primary target audience of the Ohio Statehouse Museum. K-12 student groups visit annually during school trips and during vacations with their families. Teachers utilize the Statehouse as a resource to complement units on Ohio history, state government and U.S. history. For many students, especially those attending schools in distant parts of the state, this may be the first time they visit the Statehouse.

Adults

Adults interested in Ohio history, U.S. history, architecture and art represent a second target audience. They visit the Statehouse as walk-in visitors and as members of bus tours and family groups. They tend to arrive with a greater knowledge of Statehouse history and/or purpose, and may also be more self-directed in exploring that portion of the Statehouse story of particular interest to them. Interpretive exhibits – either static or virtual – will enable visitors to tailor the experience to their particular interests.

Those Making and Affecting Laws

Legislators, staff and professional colleagues represent another important target audience. They use the building on a daily basis to carry on the work of government. Interpretive experiences must be sensitive to the inherent limitations imposed by this important ongoing work. While seeking to celebrate and shine a light on state government and Ohio Statehouse history, interpretive experiences must not detract from that work. At the same time, interpretive experiences may enhance the context of governmental gatherings and functions, help to orient new legislators and, through stories expressed throughout the building, perhaps inspire future policymaking solutions.