STATEHOUSE NEWS

Black History Month 2014 at the Ohio Statehouse
Special Programming Throughout February
January 24, 2014
 

The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a special display, free historical performance each Thursday at noon and special tours of the George Washington Williams Room.

The 2014 Rosa Parks Children’s Art Exhibit, The Power of One, a K-third grade student art exhibit sponsored by COTA. The exhibit is the students’ artistic expression of how they would change things for the better. Rosa Parks is honored because through her act of courage, she helped make America a better place for all people. Students were asked what would you do if you had a chance… To do a brave thing? A courageous thing? A kind thing? If nothing stood in your way, what would you do to change America and make it a better place for all people?

Living history programs will be presented each Thursday at noon throughout February in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. Visitors will meet first-person interpreters who portray prominent African Americans in U.S. history. Each 45-minute vignette will focus on African-American history as part of Black History Month at the Ohio Statehouse. Each performance is rich with history, drama and adventure. The programs are presented by We’ve Known Rivers, which is a partnership of dynamic storytellers with a passion for history and education. The programs are free and open to the public. For more information about We’ve Known Rivers, visit www.facebook.com/weveknownrivers.

Scheduled living history performances include:

February 6: Ethel Waters, portrayed by Dr. Annette Jefferson.
Presented in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse

February 13: Martin Luther King, Jr., portrayed by Anthony Gibbs.
Presented in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse

February 20: “Rise and Ride: The Story of the Freedom Riders,” with the entire cast of We’ve Known Rivers.
Presented in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse

February 27: Phyllis Wheatley and George Washington, portrayed by Sandra Quick and Ken Hammontree.
Presented in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse

A special soul food menu will be offered in the Capitol Cafe each Thursday in February. The Capitol Cafe, operated by Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services, will offer a variety of reasonably priced soul food options each Thursday.

Tours will visit the George Washington Williams Memorial Room throughout February. The George Washington Williams Memorial Room is a tribute to Ohio’s first African-American legislator. George Washington Williams was the first African American elected to the Ohio General Assembly. Williams was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican legislator from Hamilton County in 1879 at the age of 30. Williams was a Civil War soldier, pastor, journalist, lawyer, politician, freewill ambassador, author and historian. This room exhibits furnishings representing styles popular in the United States in the late 1800’s. The furniture includes period antiques, reproduction pieces and art work that help visitors experience history.

High resolution images are available at: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/Multimedia/MediaLibrary/Collection.aspx?start=1&collectionId=108513

To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is handicapped accessible and senior friendly. The Capitol Square complex was restored to allow for greater access by individuals living with disabilities. Ohio Statehouse public programs and events are held in accessible and barrier free areas of the building so that everyone can participate. Ohio Statehouse visitors needing disability-related accommodations in order to fully participate in an event may contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board at statehouse@csrab.state.oh.us or 614/752-9777 to communicate special needs. Please allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

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Calendar Listing:

Black History Month at the Ohio Statehouse
February 1 - 28, 2014
Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square; downtown Columbus
www.ohiostatehouse.org
614/752-9777
Free!

The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a special display, free historical performances each Thursday at noon and special tours of the George Washington Williams Room. Visitors can also enjoy a special soul food menu at the Capitol Cafe each Thursday in February.

Special Black History Month exhibition: Rosa Parks, The Power of One, a K-third grade student art exhibit sponsored by COTA. The exhibit is the students’ artistic expression of how they would change things for the better.
Through March 3, 2014
Map Room

Living history programs featuring interpreters portraying prominent historical African Americans by We’ve Known Rivers!
Each Thursday; February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2013
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Museum Gallery

George Washington Williams Room Tours
Visit the room which memorializes Ohio’s first African-American legislator.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.