STATEHOUSE NEWS

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Through a partnership with iCivics and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Capitol Square Foundation, is offering a free interactive web-based civics curriculum that will be available to students, teachers and families.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 5, 2020 -- With the 2020 election right around the corner—and the country in the midst of a health crisis, economic uncertainty, and social unrest—the Capitol Square Foundation, through iCivicsOhio, is providing free online resources to help teachers, students, and families better understand the news that they are reading in the headlines and learn about how the local and federal government works, including the presidential election.

The resources, which were created in partnership with iCivics, the civic education nonprofit founded by Sandra Day O’Connor, and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs have been designed specifically to align with Ohio’s state standards and to meet the needs of Ohio educators through content that is tied to the Buckeye State’s history and Constitution.

They have been created to use both remotely, as many schools have not yet opened their campuses to students, as well as in the physical classroom. Completely nonpartisan, they are available for free and for anyone to use at https://www.icivics.org/teachers/oh.

“We are especially proud of our unique partnership with iCivics, the John Glenn College and the Ohio Statehouse to provide this important resource at this challenging time,” said Charles Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square foundation.

iCivics, which has created 20 digital games and hundreds of digital lesson plans that are used by more than 120,000 teachers and 7.5 million students every year, has worked with the Capitol Square Foundation to make the following resources available for Ohio at a time when civic education has become increasingly important:

• The iCivics Ohio Website: This includes a guide to lesson planning that is custom to Ohio’s state Scope & Sequence, as well as two Ohio-specific lesson plans for high school students, Comparing Constitutions: Ohio and United States, and History of Ohio's Constitution.


• An Ohio Statehouse Virtual Visit: While the Ohio Statehouse remains open to the public, in-person guided tours have been suspended until further notice due to COVID-19. Self-guided tour brochures are available for groups or individuals in the Map Room. The Ohio Statehouse Virtual Visit allows educators to use digital resources to help students explore remotely the history, government, civics, and architecture of the Ohio Statehouse, Senate Building and Atrium. This includes Digital Resources for Educators, an exploration of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House, and information from the Secretary of State.


• General civic content from iCivics: This includes access to all of iCivics’ renowned online civics games and lesson plans that teach middle and high school students key topics such as how the three branches of government interact, how to be an informed voter, how the judicial system works, and how laws are made. As the election nears, this also features a guide to Teaching the 2020 Presidential Election, which includes games, lessons, WebQuests, and more.

While initially designed for use in schools, students and families can also access iCivics’ resources on their own. For example, Win the White House is a popular free online game from iCivics that can inspire at-home civic learning and some friendly family competition -- and iCivics has created guides specifically for at home learning for both educators and families.


Ohio Statehouse Connection


The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center is excited to partner with iCivicsOhio to teach Ohio students about government. Teachers and students may use the iCivicsOhio website with online games and activities as an engaging way to prepare to participate in civic life.


“The Ohio Statehouse is the center of state government,” said Laura Battocletti, Executive Director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), “Guided tours of the Ohio Statehouse are not available due to an abundance of caution. These virtual experiences may take the place of a school visit to the Capitol to experience how their government works.”
“This is a crucial time to educate students on civics and the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center and iCivicsOhio offer unique, engaging ways to experience both state and national governments online.”

About Capitol Square Foundation

The Capitol Square Foundation was established in 1987 to increase public awareness of and to involve citizens in the history of the Ohio Statehouse. Its purpose is to raise funds to obtain, restore and maintain artifacts and other items related to the history and enhancement of this grand monument and its adjoining grounds, so that the seat of Ohio's government may reflect the dignity of the state and its citizens.

About iCivics

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics in 2009 to transform the field through innovative, free educational video games and lessons that teach students to be knowledgeable, curious, and engaged in civic life. Today, iCivics is the nation’s largest provider of civic education curriculum, with its resources used by over 113,000 educators and more than 7.1 million students each year nationwide. Visit icivics.org to learn more.

About the Ohio Statehouse


The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it’s where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on state holidays.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum is currently closed for health and safety. Virtual resources for learning at home are online at ohiostatehouse.org/Assets/Files/1005077.pdf.

Guided tours are suspended until further notice, but visitors are welcome with safe and healthy practices. Face coverings and social distancing of at least six feet are encouraged. Cell phone tour and self-guided tour brochures are available in the Map Room, which is easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. The Capitol Café and Statehouse Museum Shop are closed until further notice. For education and museum information, contact 614-728-2697 or OhioStatehouse.org.


Contact:
Charles Moses, Chair
Capitol Square Foundation
614-221-5825 / CSF@AssnOffices.com / www.capitolsquarefoundation.org

Laura P. Battocletti, Executive Director
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-752-9777 / laura.battocletti@ohiostatehouse.org / ohiostatehouse.org

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In honor of the life and legacy of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the flags shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio effective immediately until sunset on the date of her interment.

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The Ohio Statehouse will give virtual tours on the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center Facebook Page. The tours begin at noon on Monday, September 14 and continue each day at noon through Saturday, September 19. The tours, featuring a different theme each day, will be presented via Facebook Live and will be led by Statehouse staff. The Ohio Statehouse is pleased to once again participate in the Ohio History Connection’s statewide Ohio Open Doors program by offering virtual tours.

Mon. Sept 14 - Statehouse Highlights Tour – This tour highlights some of the most beautiful and frequented spots the Statehouse has to offer.

Tue. Sept. 15 - First Ladies of Ohio Tour – This tour emphasizes the lives and roles of Ohio’s First Ladies in their state’s history.

Wed. Sept. 16 - Civil Rights in Ohio Tour – This tour explores the history of civil and political rights in Ohio through the lens of the Ohio Statehouse.

Thur. Sept. 17 - Cupola Tour – This tour explores one of the Ohio Statehouse’s most unique and iconic architectural features and will grant participants a stunning view of Columbus.

Fri. Sept. 18 - Art Tour – This tour celebrates the vast and varied collection of art housed at the Ohio Statehouse, as well as the artistry of the building itself.

Sat. Sept. 19 - Women’s Suffrage Centennial Tour – This tour celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution by highlighting the people and events connected with the Ohio Statehouse that were key to the fight for women’s suffrage.

These tours are free and available for all to access on Facebook. In-person, guided tours of the Ohio Statehouse remain unavailable until further notice.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center has partnered with Ohio History Connection as part of the Ohio Open Doors project. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center is one of more than two-hundred organizations participating in this statewide educational project. Learn about Ohio’s past as historic Ohio buildings and landmarks open their doors for virtual tours and events from Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 20. All Ohio Open Doors events are free and available online. For a full list of events and activities available, visit Ohio History Connection.

“The Ohio Statehouse is excited to be participating in the 2020 Ohio Open Doors campaign!” said Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education. “Although this year’s tours will be presented virtually, we’ll still be focusing on objects and spaces in the Statehouse that aren’t typically seen on a public tour. We hope to provide visitors with some new insight into the fascinating history and timeless beauty of our state Capitol.”

About the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center
The Ohio Statehouse Museum is currently closed for health and safety. The Museum includes interactive, hands-on exhibits that challenge visitors’ knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government, while equipping them to participate more fully as citizens. Displays include original pages of the Ohio Constitutions, and interactive learning about our state’s founding documents. Virtual resources for learning at home are online at ohiostatehouse.org/Assets/Files/1005077.pdf.

About the Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it’s where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on state holidays. Guided tours are suspended until further notice, but visitors are welcome with safe and healthy practices. Face coverings and social distancing of at least six feet are encouraged. Cell phone tour and self-guided tour brochures are available in the Map Room, which is easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Virtual tours and other resources can be found online at ohiostatehouse.org/Assets/Files/1005077.pdf. The Capitol Café and Statehouse Museum Shop are closed until further notice. For education and museum information, contact 614-728-2697 or OhioStatehouse.org.

Contact:
Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-728-2697 - djalkanen@ohiostatehouse.org - ohiostatehouse.org

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

The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 11, 2020.

Governor DeWine also asks that all Ohio citizens observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, September 11, which is the time that the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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In honor of the life and service of Cleveland Police Detective James Skernivitz, the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Cuyahoga County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower until sunset on the day of Detective Skernivitz's funeral. All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will begin Phase 4 of the Ohio Statehouse parking garage repair project Friday, September 4, 2020.

During Phase 4 of the repairs, the garage will remain in service, however at a reduced capacity. Approximately 25% or 300 spaces will be under construction throughout the entire project.

During construction, traffic flow will be maintained, and access to each level will be provided. Vehicles may enter the Broad Street and Third Street entrances. The State Street driving entrance will be closed for construction.

Driving exits will be open on the North side of the garage to Broad Street and Third Street. The State Street exits will be closed during Phase 4.

Spaces for accessible parking are provided on the North side of the Green Level. The area is convenient to the elevator in the North Penthouse. The South side stairs and the South Penthouse and elevator are closed in this phase.

Electric vehicle chargers will be available during this phase of renovation. The charging stations are located on the South side of the Green Level of the garage.

The walking tunnel to the Rhodes Tower is open to those with security badges. The entrances to the Riffe Center and Huntington Building will be affected in Phase 4. CSRAB will post updates at www.ohiostatehouse.org/announcements. Please, no pedestrian traffic on the ramps. This is especially dangerous during construction. Please use caution when driving or walking in the garage.

Many variables can affect the timing of a construction project. A map is attached, and updates about the Ohio Statehouse parking garage repair project can be found at http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/announcements.

The Ohio Statehouse Garage is a three level parking structure built in 1964. The last restoration project was completed in 1993 during the Statehouse renovations. The parking garage is U-shaped with seven stair towers and four elevators located throughout.

The garage services both daily and monthly parking customers, accommodating up to 1,200 vehicles daily.

Please, contact Mike Rupert at mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org or 614-745-6949 for project specific questions.

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The centennial of women’s suffrage is recognized on August 18, 2020. On that date, one hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed ensuring women the right to vote.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center is host to a compact exhibit about the landmark voting rights victory. “Rightfully Hers,” a pop-up display created by the National Archives, shows images and portraits related to the suffrage movement. The exhibit is open to the public through Labor Day in the Map Room of the Ohio Statehouse courtesy of the State Library of Ohio. Virtual learning about suffrage is available at these websites, https://museum.archives.gov/rightfully-hers and https://www.ohiosuffragecentennial.com/.

When visiting the Ohio Statehouse with recommended healthy practices, the public is invited to view The Ladies’ Gallery on the first floor. Pictures and displays tell the story of the women in the Ohio legislature. On the South Capitol Square grounds, a planting shows the colors of a suffragist sash, purple, white and gold.

The Statehouse Museum Shop carries commemorative items and pins related to women’s right to vote. The Shop is not open to in-person shopping until September 8, 2020 but will fill online orders at https://StatehouseShop.com.

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is proud to announce Lee Anne Back as the new manager of the Statehouse Museum Shop. Back was promoted July 24, 2020, and she follows her mentor Becky Wildman, who was the founding manager of the Statehouse Museum Shop when it opened in 1996. Wildman retired after twenty-four years of public service.

Lee Anne Back worked as the assistant manager at the Statehouse Museum Shop since 2001. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador of the great city of Columbus and a promoter of the state of Ohio. She and her husband currently reside in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are honored and excited to serve our great Ohioans in these uncertain times,” said Lee Anne. “The Statehouse Museum Shop is a great little gem that offers wonderful Ohio products, such as Ohio wines, Ohio Proud food products, political themed products art, home or office decor, and souvenirs. We specialize in unique gifts such as our gifts baskets and flown Ohio or US flags with a certificate of authenticity. We are excited to present our yearly limited edition Ohio Statehouse ornament.”

The 2020 Ohio Statehouse Ornament, Heart of Democracy, is a limited edition commemorative holiday ornament. The collectible ornament features the Ohio Statehouse surrounded by evergreens and red cardinals, the state bird. The durable yet delicate metal ornament is finished in 24k gold and measures approximately 2 3/4 by 3 inches. It is presented in a luxurious velour-lined gift box with provenance card, and is proudly made in America.

The Statehouse Museum Shop, located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse, is currently closed to in-person customers until further notice, but welcomes online orders at StatehouseShop.com or by calling 614-728-9234 or 1-888-OHIO123. Older Posts Newer Posts