STATEHOUSE NEWS


Programs for Black History Month
(Columbus, OH) - The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will celebrate Black History Month with four 60-minute programs. These programs will be presented every Tuesday, starting on February 6 and ending on February 27, in the Statehouse Atrium at noon. Melvin Barnes with Ohio Humanities will introduce the documentary The Lincoln School Story, Columbus Metropolitan Library will talk about the Underground Railroad, Executive Director of the Lincoln Theater Suzan Bradford will speak, and magician, storyteller and educator Rory Rennick will present The Henry “Box” Brown Show.

All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but large groups and schools may save their seats by calling 614-728-3726.

Scheduled noon presentations include:

Feb. 6- The Lincoln School Story.
Ohio Humanities will show the new 20-minute documentary, The Lincoln School Story. The documentary follows a group of mothers and their children, the Lincoln School Marchers, in Southwest Ohio. They heroically fought for school desegregation for over two years to continue the fight for equality in one of the longest-sustained actions of the Civil Rights movement.

Feb. 13- The Underground Railroad.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library will talk about Ohioans’ role in this brave fight for freedom and teach participants how to find homes on the Underground Railroad route.

Feb. 20- The Lincoln Theater.
Suzan Bradford will speak on the history and restoration of the Lincoln Theater in Columbus. As part of this presentation, she will also bring a singer for a short performance.

Feb. 27 – The Henry Box Brown Show.
Rory Rennick will present the motivational and informative “The Henry Box Brown Show.” This entertaining show brings to life the experience of Professor Henry “Box” Brown, an escaped slave-turned-magician. The program will include a Q&A segment and incredible feats of prestidigitation!

Each program will be live-streamed and recorded by OhioChannel.org.

On Tuesdays in February, the Capitol Café will offer a discount for lunches. Visit the Café on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse for more details.

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Artist Bill Hinsch in the Rotunda
UPDATE: See the large-scale final painting here.

Watch some of the recorded Jan. 24 events on OhioChannel.org.



(Columbus, Ohio) –The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and Capitol Square Foundation will unveil the 9-foot by 12-foot painting, “Ohioans in Space” by artist Bill Hinsch at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, January 24 at 8:30 p.m. in the Rotunda. The painting features John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Judith Resnik and Gene Kranz, and recognizes the accomplishments of Ohioans in space travel and exploration. Names of the 25 astronauts born in Ohio and others will be listed on a permanent plaque near the painting.

On January 24, the celebrations include a student program, panel discussions, poster signing, a ticketed dinner and the unveiling. Events begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Atrium, where there will be student programs in partnership with COSI and other Ohio science centers from all over Ohio. Ohio astronauts will also be in attendance, participating in experiments and meeting the students.

Two panel discussions are open to the public in the Senate Finance Room. At 2:00 p.m., a discussion about Aviation and Aerospace will be moderated by Dr. Frederic Bertley, President & CEO of COSI. The panel includes former astronauts Michael Good, Carl Walz and Don Thomas, and also Representative Adam Holmes; Dr. John Horack, Neil Armstrong Chair at the John Glenn College, The Ohio State University; Amanda Wright Lane, relative of the Wright brothers; and Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator.

A panel discussion about Art and its Lasting Impact on Ohio will be moderated by Nannette Maciejunes, Former Executive Director, Columbus Museum of Art at 3:30 p.m. The public will hear from the artist of “Ohioans in Space,” Bill Hinsch, as well as Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education, Ohio Statehouse; Rebekah Beaulieu, President CEO, Taft Museum of Art; Dr. Hyacinth Paul, Artist in Residence, Trotwood Schools, Dayton; and Jim Keny, Keny Galleries, Columbus.

All the events will be livestreamed by The Ohio Channel.

The Statehouse Museum Shop will have unique merchandise including patches, challenge coins, lapel pins, COSI activity kits, t-shirts, and books on space. Artist Bill Hinsch will be available from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to sign prints of the painting.

For those interested in attending the dinner and receptions at 5:30 p.m., tickets are available on the Capitol Square Foundation website. Proceeds will fund the painting and future art projects at the Ohio Statehouse. There will be remarks from Governor DeWine; Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator; and family members of Ohio astronauts. Nonticketed members of the press will have seats available to observe the proceedings.

The painting will be unveiled in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda at 8:30 p.m. “Ohioans in Space” is the first commissioned large-scale painting to be installed permanently in the Ohio Statehouse in 66 years.

Artist Biography: Bill Hinsch is a lifelong artist from Hicksville, Ohio. Throughout his illustrious career, Bill also pursued his passion for portrait painting. He has created numerous works of art that hang in the Air Force Museum in Dayton and the Pentagon, depicting aviation heroes of the United States through the US Air Force Art program. Bill's dedication to his craft remains strong, and he paints daily in his studio in Perrysburg. In addition to his portrait work, he continues to create Learning Maps, where he has worked with some of the world's largest and most prestigious corporations to illustrate their strategies in a compelling, easy-to-understand format.

Reporters who are interested in interviewing the artist or other participants may contact Charles Moses, President, Capitol Square Foundation.
Contacts:
Charles Moses
Capitol Square Foundation
614-221-5825 ¦ csf@assnoffices.com ¦ ohcapitolsquarefoundation.org
cell phone 614-832-5823

Laura Battocletti
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-752-9777 ¦ laura.battocletti@ohiostatehouse.org ¦ ohiostatehouse.org

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Chef Frankie Bernert
(Columbus, OH) – The Capitol Café at the Ohio Statehouse has a new operator. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Capitol building in Columbus, Ohio.

The Capitol Café offers a breakfast and lunch menu that includes omelets, crepes, sandwiches, soups, salads, sweets and much more. Fresh coffee is available.

The Capitol Café is operated by Feed Your Soul Catering under the direction of Chef Frankie Bernert. The company is also one of the approved caterers for special events at the Ohio Statehouse.

Guests may order for dine in and carry out, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Paying in person is available in the Café. Meals may be pre-ordered online on this website, https://www.clover.com/online-ordering/feedyoursoulcatering .

The Ohio Statehouse is a National Historic Landmark, and has been restored to its 1861 appearance. The historic Café dining room offers comfortable seating for 98 diners. TV screens can show government meetings on The Ohio Channel and news shows.

Contact: Frankie Bernert, Chef
Capitol Café
614-804-6397 ¦ frankbernert@hotmail.com ¦ https://www.clover.com/online-ordering/feedyoursoulcatering
 
 
 

Half-staff flags at the Ohio Statehouse
In accordance with the orders issued by the President of the United States of America and to honor the life and legacy of former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Sandra Day O’Connor, Governor DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio immediately until sunset today, the day of her interment.

This flag lowering will run concurrently with the flag lowering for Preble County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Hamilton and Michael Gayhart ll.
 
 
 

Half-staff flags at the Ohio Statehouse
In honor of the life and service of Preble County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Hamilton and the life of Michael Gayhart ll, Governor DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Preble County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower Dec. 18, and will remain until sunset on the day of the second of the two funerals.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.
 
 
 

File Photo - Ohio Statehouse
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— In honor of the life and service of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Kody Johnson, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Licking County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, Saturday, December 16, 2023.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.
 
 
 

Choirs Sing at the Statehouse in December
Columbus, OH – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) invites the public to celebrate holidays in December at the Ohio Statehouse. Starting at the 2023 Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, CSRAB then welcomes all to enjoy other activities throughout the rest of the month: performances by local schools, decorations, tours and special items and sales at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

Capitol Square will kick off the holiday season at the annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting on Monday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. After Santa, the Governor, and First Lady of Ohio light the tree in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, cookies, craft activities and performances by Ohio choirs and dance companies will be available throughout the evening. Find further details about this family-friendly event on the Statehouse calendar at OhioStatehouse.org.

During the rest of December, other special performances by students from across Ohio will be open to the public. On weekdays, school choirs will perform at noon in the Museum Gallery, on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. As the legislative schedule allows, The Ohio Channel will also live-stream many of the concerts:

Dec. 5 - Milton-Union "Center Stage" Show Choir
Dec. 6 - (10 a.m.) Harp Music by Olivia Claggett
(12 p.m.) Bells of Our Lady & Schola Cantorum
Dec. 7 - Immaculate Conception Academy
Dec. 8 - Warren High School Choir and Hand Bells
Dec. 11 - Centennial High School Choir
Dec. 12 - Columbus Alternative High School Ensembles
Dec. 13 - Grandview Heights “The Grandview Singers”
Dec. 14 - Hamilton Twp. High School Choir
Dec. 15 - Belle Haven Unified Chorus and Orff Ensemble
Dec. 18 - Lancaster High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 19 - Hilliard Davidson High School BKOTB

Throughout the month, the Statehouse Museum Shop will feature Ohio-themed gifts and the collectible 2023 Ohio Statehouse Christmas Ornament. Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse from December 4 through December 8 may have a sweet discount during the Candy Cane Sale. Shoppers may pull a candy cane to find a discount of 15% to 40% off their total purchase. See Shop for details and exclusions.

The Ohio Statehouse also offers public tours every day except state holidays. Guided tours start in the Map Room, on the ground floor, at the top of every hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Out-of-town guests may enjoy a free tour of the Ohio Statehouse during their stay in Ohio.

Inside the Ohio Statehouse, modern decorations reminiscent of the nineteenth century highlight the historical character of the building, completed in 1861. Outside, red and green lights will illuminate Capitol Square.

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Half-staff flags at the Ohio Statehouse
In honor of the lives of Concord-Green Fire Chief Ralph Stegbauer and Fire Captain Jeffery Skaggs, the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Fayette County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower on November 26, 2023, and will remain until sunset on the day of their funerals. This flag lowering will run concurrently with the flag lowering to honor former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, which is in effect until November 29.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may lower at their discretion for the same time period.
 
 
 
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