STATEHOUSE NEWS

---

COLUMBUS, Ohio — What kind of future becomes possible when every girl knows she belongs in Ohio’s story? Today, Ohio answered that question with the unveiling of the Ohio Women’s Monument, a historic new landmark on the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse honoring generations of women whose leadership, courage, and determination helped shape Ohio and the nation.

Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine joined artist Brenda Councill, state and civic leaders, community members, and supporters to celebrate the completion of the monument, marking the culmination of years of vision, collaboration, and philanthropy.

“We hope the Ohio Women’s Monument inspires and encourages Ohioans, especially young girls and women, to realize that they have the power to be the ones who makes a real difference in their communities,” said First Lady DeWine. “Every generation has the chance to shape what comes next.”

“This is a wonderful monument and tribute to Ohio’s remarkable women – past, current, and future – who are and will be such an important part of Ohio’s story,” said Gov. DeWine.

The unveiling ceremony kicked off at the Ohio Theatre and featured music, a commissioned poem, and remarks from state and community leaders who shared their own personal stories. Speakers included:

• Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine


• Ohio Secretary of State and veteran Frank LaRose


• Senator Rob McColley, President of the Ohio Senate


• Representative Matt Huffman, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives


• Jeananne Chadsey, Senior Advisor of Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Ohio Secretary of State


• Senator Nickie Antonio, Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate


• Representative Dani Isaacsohn, Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives


• Stephanie Kunze, Former Ohio State Senator and Co-Chair of the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission


• Charley Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation and Vice Chair of the Ohio Arts Council


• Holly Brians Ragusa, Poet and President of the Ohio Poetry Association


• Brenda Councill, Artist


• Betty Montgomery, Ohio’s first female Attorney General and Auditor of State


• Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez, President of Ohio University


• Marlena K. Boyce, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Sherwin Williams


• Donna S. Collins, Executive Director of the Ohio Arts Council
  

Hundreds of visitors attending the formal program at the Ohio Theatre then moved to the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse to watch history in the making. A host of individuals joined Governor and Mrs. DeWine as the monument was unveiled.

Nationally recognized sculptor Brenda Councill designed the monument, which features four etched granite columns and nine bronze figures representing women across generations, eras, and experiences. Visitors can walk among the granite columns and read inspiring quotes and the names of notable Ohio women. Three columns feature bronze figures, while the fourth intentionally remains open as a space representing the women of the future and the stories yet to be written.

“This monument was created to be experienced, not simply observed,” Councill said. “As people from all over visit this site, I want people to really feel what these women represent and be reminded that there are more accomplishments to be had in Ohio’s future.”

Councill spent more than a year in Zanesville, Ohio, bringing the monument to life, from clay modeling and 3D printing to bronze casting and finishing.

The Ohio Women’s Monument is the result of more than six years of planning and collaboration among Ohio legislators and leaders, the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, the Capitol Square Foundation, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and the Ohio Arts Council. The project grew from an effort to commemorate the history of women’s suffrage in Ohio and has evolved into a monument honoring women’s leadership, contributions, and ongoing pursuit of equality.

“Ohio has always been home to women who challenged expectations, opened doors, and made their communities stronger,” said Charley Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “The Ohio Women’s Monument ensures those contributions will have a permanent place at the heart of our state government and gives future generations a place to see what is possible when they choose to lead.”

The monument was supported by America 250-Ohio as they commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States throughout 2026.

The Ohio Women’s Monument is located on the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse and is open to the public. The monument joins a wide variety of other historic statues, monuments and markers across Capitol Square’s grounds. Plan your visit at OhioStatehouse.org. For more information about contributing to the monument, visit the Capitol Square Foundation website.

---

COLUMBUS, Ohio—In honor of those killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Ohio on Patriot Day.

The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Friday, September 11, 2026.

Governor DeWine asks that all Ohioans observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. to honor the innocent lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks.

---

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Spooky stories and the dim glow of lanterns around every corner – it's almost time for Haunted Tours at the Ohio Statehouse! The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is now selling tickets for the annual event at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

"The Ohio Statehouse hosts thousands of tours each year, and most of those are focused on capitol history, state history, and civics. This is an opportunity for our Museum and Education team to share tales of forgotten figures or unique events that have a spooky twist," said Dayna Jalkanen, CSRAB’s Deputy Director of Museum and Education at the Ohio Statehouse. "We love this time of year because it’s a great way to engage with visitors in a one-of-a-kind experience!"

Visitors will by guided through the dark halls of the Statehouse by conductors, who will bring figures of the past to life with chilling stories you won’t hear anywhere else.



The ticketed tours will be held over the course of two weekends in October:

• Friday, October 16
  
  
  
  • Tours at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
  
  
  
  


• Saturday, October 17
  
  
  
  • Tours at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
  
  
  
  


• Friday, October 23
  
  
  
  • Tours at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
  
  
  
  


• Saturday, October 24
  
  
  
  • Tours at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
  
  
  
  

Tickets are $16 per person for Statehouse Haunted Tours and are available for purchase now at statehouseshop.com. This spooky experience is available for ages 12 and up. If you have any specific accommodation needs or plan to bring a group of 6 or more children, please contact tours@ohiostatehouse.org.

Additionally, the Ohio Statehouse will host a free Trick-or-treat tour for younger visitors on Friday, October 30 at 10 a.m.

The free Trick-or-Treat tour offers younger children the opportunity to explore the Ohio Statehouse in costume while learning about the building and picking up treats at various stops along the way. Costumes are encouraged, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Please reach out to tours@ohiostatehouse.org with any questions.

Parking for both events will be available in the Statehouse Underground Garage. Please note, costume pieces resembling weapons will be confiscated.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

###

Editor's Note: High Resolution Photo

For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

---

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In honor of the life and service of former Ohio Representative and State Senator Ray Miller, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Franklin County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, September 5, 2026.

---

Update: The application portal for the 2026/2027 school year has now closed. Please check back in September 2027!

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— The Ohio Statehouse's Transportation Grant portal will open for applications Friday, September 4 for the 2026-2027 school year. The grants assist schools in paying for bus transportation for students to visit Capitol Square for tours to learn about Ohio history, how government works, and the importance of civic engagement.

More than 70,000 students visit the Ohio Statehouse each year. Additional information about the grant and how to apply is available online at OhioStatehouse.org. This year, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is contributing an additional $50,000 to the program, along with the donation that is provided annually by the Capitol Square Foundation.

“We hope this additional grant funding will bring more students to our great state capitol, especially those who haven’t had the chance to visit yet,” said Megan Wycuff, Executive Director with CSRAB. “Our mission with these tours is to bring history lessons to life while sharing the importance of civic engagement with future generations.”

Up to 180 grants will be awarded, split evenly among three categories based on one-way travel from the applicant's school to the Ohio Statehouse:

• 0 to 50 miles


• 51 to 100 miles


• 101+ miles

“The Capitol Square Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness about the Ohio Statehouse and the rich history surrounding it,” said Charley Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “We hope that these grants will help provide students and teachers with an opportunity to visit Capitol Square and learn something new.”

Applicants must be teachers or an employee who works for an Ohio school that receives state funding and have a minimum of 20 students in their tour group to be eligible for the grant. Only one grant will be awarded per school. Classes below the 4th grade level are not eligible for the program.

Applications must be submitted online by end of day Sunday, September 13, 2026. Schools will be selected by the Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center by using a random lottery system for each of the grant categories.

All grant awardees will be notified by e-mail if they are selected for a transportation grant. More information regarding reimbursement is available online at OhioStatehouse.org.

Please note, schools can schedule class tours before grants are awarded. Tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday during business hours. Springtime tour dates fill up quickly and schools are encouraged to consider a fall tour for students. For questions regarding tours, please email tours@ohiostatehouse.org or call 614-728-3726.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

###

For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

---

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered that, in honor of the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio until sunset on September 1, 2026.

---

Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The meeting will be held in the State Room (Room #108) and will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda is linked below.

Click here for the meeting agenda.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

###

For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

---

Today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered that, in accordance with the President of the United States of America and in remembrance of United States Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio until sunset on July 18, 2026. Older Posts