STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, Ohio) The Ohio Statehouse celebrates Women’s History Month with such unique opportunities as a specialized Statehouse tour and two temporary museum exhibits: Ohio Women in World War II and an Athena Art Scavenger Hunt.

Athena Art Society’s Scavenger Hunt exhibit can be seen through March 31. Motts Military Museum brings their Ohio Women in World War II artifacts from March 15 to July 17. On March 25 at 12 p.m., you can meet Dayna Jalkanen for a special Women’s History Month tour in the same space as both exhibits: the Map Room in the Ohio Statehouse.

The events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required for the tour, but if your group is more than ten people, please contact Katie Montgomery at 614-728-3726 or kmontgomery@ohiostatehouse.org.

Athena Art Exhibit: "Scavenger Hunt"
These artworks have four items or interpretations represented some place within the piece. In each artwork, look for text, circular, music and nature. Formed in 1903, the Athena Art Society is the oldest continuous women’s art organization in the country. Their mission continues to promote and develop the visual arts and stimulate community participation.

Ohio Women in World War II
The Statehouse display features uniforms and associated gear of two central Ohio women who served during the war: 1st Lt. Inez Miller from Reynoldsburg, Ohio who was a nurse with the 118th Station Hospital in Japan; and Mary Ellen Keil from Columbus, Ohio who was a WASP (Women Air force Service Pilot). The artifacts are provided by Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio, with a mission to educate the public on the importance of America’s military past through the documentation, collection, interpretation and preservation of tangible artifacts and personal stories of the men and women who served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Women's History Tour
On this specialized tour, visitors are invited to learn more about Ohio women in public leadership roles and important moments in Ohio history for women’s rights. The tour will focus on notable times in Ohio for women gaining equality and civic power. Topics include suffrage, representation in the legislature, and leadership roles in state government. Significant figures in Ohio who’ve served as leaders for women in civic engagement include the first six women elected to the Ohio legislature, Speaker JoAnn Davidson, Governor Nancy Hollister, Victoria Woodhull, and many more.
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(Columbus, Ohio) – The Ohio Statehouse Museum unveiled a sweeping documentary series of videos highlighting the national significance of the Ohio Constitution — from its critical role in the slavery abolition movement to how it set a national model for the funding of public education. Written, produced, and directed by Dublin-based Roto in collaboration with Capitol Square Foundation and the Ohio History Connection, the films feature all five of the state’s living former governors exploring the historical impact of the Buckeye State’s founding documents.

Ohio’s Constitution and the new videos are featured in the central area of the Ohio Statehouse Museum. Visitors may view actual handwritten pages from the 1802 and 1851 Ohio Constitutions, courtesy of the Ohio History Connection. Adjacent displays explain and expand on the importance of the historic documents. The panels in this area have been updated to show the six new documentary videos.

The five-minute-long videos offer a fascinating and inspiring look into Ohio’s history. The films highlight the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the first federal legislative act that abolished slavery. They also explore Ohio’s 1802 Constitution and critical contributions of Ohioans in the abolition movement, such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin author Harriet Beecher Stowe, and John P. Parker, who helped hundreds of enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. The film culminates with Ohio’s journey to becoming one of the first states to guarantee free universal public education funding in its 1851 Constitution.

Five former Ohio Governors appear on screen to explain Ohio history. Richard Celeste (1983-1991), Nancy Hollister (1998-1999), John Kasich (2011-2019), Ted Strickland (2007-2011), and Bob Taft (1999-2007) give personal insights into the Ohio Constitution. Roto oversaw all aspects of the film production, including research, writing, animation, graphics, cinematography, and editing, with invaluable help from the Ohio History Connection. The Capitol Square Foundation secured funding and guided the project along with the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB).

Historians featured in the film include Dr. Nikki Taylor, Chairperson of the Department of History at Howard University, Brian Schoen, Chairperson of the Department of History at Ohio University, and Trevor Brown, Dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. The Roto team was led by Senior Media Producer Jackie Rapaport, the film’s producer and director, and Partner Sean Ramsay and Founder and CEO Joseph Wisne, who served as executive producers.

“The Ohio Constitution reshaped the nation in areas from the abolition of slavery to public education,” said Wisne, named one of the world’s top 50 Museum Influencers of 2021 by Blooloop. “We were thrilled to partner once again with Ohio Statehouse in helping to bring these influential documents to life with films that shed new light on its lasting impact.”

“This is a major new element in the Ohio Statehouse Museum,” said Charles Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “Roto uses museum quality historical storytelling to open our eyes to the Ohio Constitution through immersive experiences.”

Guests may view the films at the Ohio Statehouse Museum on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. Also, the videos will be available on OhioStatehouse.org and OhCapitolSquareFoundation.org before and after your Capitol visit.

“These films help make Ohio’s Constitution come alive for Statehouse visitors and give a new perspective when thinking about our history,” said Laura P. Battocletti, Executive Director of Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.

Link to view the Ohio Constitution videos: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/ohio-constitution-videos

About Roto
Roto is an interdisciplinary creative design agency offering planning, experience design, immersive media, interactive engineering, and custom fabrication for museums, brands, attractions, and architectural placemaking. Its clients include the National Museum of American History, the Legacy Museum, the Northern Virginia Science Center, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum of Military Vehicles. For more information, visit roto.com.

About the 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 the Ohio Statehouse Museum
Opened in 2009, the Ohio Statehouse Museum features high-tech, interactive exhibits that make learning about state government immersive. The museum features historical artifacts and images that detail how government works, and recognizes the people who have served their fellow citizens. The Museum includes 5,000 square feet of exhibit space on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse that enriches the experience of schoolchildren and visitors.

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.

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(Columbus, OH)—The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) are pleased to announce that 33 school transportation grants will be awarded for the 2021/2022 academic year. The online application process will be open 9 a.m., Tuesday, February 22 through 5 p.m., Monday, February 28, 2022.

The grants will be made available to help schools defray bus transportation costs for field trips to the Ohio Statehouse and its museum. Each grant will be based on one-way mileage from the visiting school to Columbus.

The program was created in 2009 by the Capitol Square Foundation. Since inception, more than 75,000 students from all 88 Ohio counties have visited the Ohio Statehouse with the assistance of these grants. “The Foundation is grateful for the partnership with Honda of America and their remarkable, continued financial support," said Charles Moses, Capitol Square Foundation Chairman. “This program allows students from all over Ohio to learn first-hand how their government works and how they can make a difference.”

Eleven grants will be awarded in each of three mileage categories. The mileage categories are for a one-way trip from the visiting school to the Ohio Statehouse.

The three mileage categories include:
1 to 50 miles, $200.00
51 to 100 miles, $300.00
101+ miles, $400.00

This year, teachers have seven days to submit applications. CSRAB will use a random number generator to choose 11 schools from each mileage category.

"The transportation grant program affords Ohio schools a way to visit the Ohio Statehouse," said Laura P. Battocletti, CSRAB executive director. “Students who visit the Statehouse have an unforgettable experience of Ohio civics and Ohio history.”

The school transportation grants will be available to any Ohio school that receives state funding. The grants are limited to Ohio students in the fourth through 12th grades during the 2021/2022 academic year. Only one transportation grant will be awarded to each school regardless of the number of buses or students visiting the Ohio Statehouse.

Only online applications will be accepted. All applications must be submitted by an authorized teacher or school administrator. Applications will be accepted for seven days, Feb. 22-28, 2022.

Detailed information about the program is available at: ohiostatehouse.org/visit/school-and-group-tours/school-bus-transportation-grant-program

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(Columbus, Ohio) To honor Ohio presidents in February, the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center staff will present a free tour focusing on the eight presidents who called Ohio home. The public tour on Friday, February 18 will start at noon in the Map Room of the Ohio Statehouse.

This Ohio Statehouse tour focuses on the amazing life stories of the eight presidents from Ohio. The in-person tour visits areas that are not usually seen by the public. Visitors may step on the same floors walked by famous figures from history.

Ohio and Virginia both claim to have provided the most presidents of any state. Both claim William Henry Harrison since he was born in Virginia, but elected from Ohio. The eight presidents from Ohio are William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding.

The Ohio Statehouse will be closed Monday, February 21 in honor of Presidents’ Day.

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In honor of the life and service of former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, William G. Batchelder III, the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Medina County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, the Rhodes State Office Tower, and all state owned buildings until sunset on the day of his funeral, February 18, 2022.

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(Columbus, Ohio) – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation announce the recipients of the 2022 Great Ohioan Award. The 2022 honorees were presented by the Capitol Square Foundation and unanimously approved by the CSRAB recently at the Board’s first meeting of 2022. The individuals were selected from nominations submitted by citizens and organizations from across Ohio.

The 2022 Great Ohioan awardees are Bob Hope, Aminah Robinson and Joshua Giddings.

Bob Hope, a popular entertainer, achieved success on stage, radio, television and film.

Biography: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Leslie_T._Hope

Aminah Robinson, an artist, represented Black history and Ohio culture in her sculptures, paintings and books. She was a recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant.

Biography: https://poba.org/poba_artists/aminah-b-l-robinson/

Joshua Giddings, an attorney and politician, was a dedicated abolitionist in both the Ohio and U.S. House of Representatives.

Biography: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Joshua_R._Giddings


“An abolitionist, an entertainer and an artist. This diverse class of Great Ohioans speaks to the depth of the Ohio experience,” said Capitol Square Foundation Chairman Charles Moses. “From different eras and genres, these individuals reaffirm Ohio’s rich history.”

The Great Ohioan Award commemorates Ohioans who played a significant role in an event or series of events of lasting significance in world, American or Ohio history. To be selected for the Great Ohioan Award, the nominee must have resided in Ohio for a minimum of five years. In addition, at least 25 years must have passed since the event in which the nominee participated is being commemorated.

Since 2003, 52 Great Ohioans have been recognized with the award for the special roles they played in history.

“Our 2022 Great Ohioans exemplify the ranging passions, talents and values that Ohioans champion together,” said Laura P. Battocletti, CSRAB executive director. “Through art, comedy and political activism, these individuals found their own paths to uplift their community and make Ohio proud. There’s no better time to highlight their accomplishments and the potential of our state’s citizens.”


GREAT OHIOAN AWARD RECIPIENTS

Great Ohioan honorees and their achievements are archived in a permanent Great Ohioan exhibit, which is part of the Ohio Statehouse Museum. While countless Ohioans have performed great actions for their community and beyond, only a select few have been named a “Great Ohioan.” This exhibit allows visitors to have a greater understanding of the recipients of the Great Ohioan award and discover how they affected local, national and world history. The exhibit uses videos, photos, facts and web based technology to explore the life and legacy of each Great Ohioan.

Opened in 2009, the Ohio Statehouse Museum features high-tech, interactive exhibits that make learning about state government immersive. The museum features historical artifacts and images that detail how government works, and recognizes the people who have served their fellow citizens. The new Ohio Constitution exhibit utilizes the original 1802 and 1851 Ohio Constitutions, in conjunction with visitor-interactive displays, to answer the following questions: what is the Ohio constitution, what does it do and how does it impact Ohioans in the 21st century?

The Museum includes 5,000 square feet of exhibit space on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse that enriches the experience of schoolchildren and visitors. The Museum offers displays that encourage citizens to participate in the government process by making choices, expressing their opinions, comparing viewpoints and even becoming a part of an exhibit by giving a State of the State address. The Museum’s engaging approach to education enables visitors to better relate to the governing process.

Photos are available at ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/great-ohioans. To view this press release and others, visit ohiostatehouse.org.


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Please note updated location and date.
(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The business meeting will be held in House Hearing Room 313 and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda is available upon request.
CSRAB cancelled the meeting scheduled for February 3, 2022.
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(Columbus, OH)—The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will celebrate Black History Month with two free performances in February. Each 45-minute performance at noon will explore Affrilachian culture and family stories including a brief Q & A portion. The events will be live in the Atrium of the Ohio Statehouse. To expand viewer accessibility, the performances will be livestreamed via OhioChannel.org.

The programs are presented by “We’ve Known Rivers,” which is a partnership of dynamic storytellers with a passion for history and education. Learn more at www.facebook.com/weveknownrivers. The programs are free and open to the public.

If you or your organization would like to schedule a group to attend a performance, please contact Katie Montgomery at 614-728-3726 or kmontgomery@ohiostatehouse.org.


Scheduled 12:00 p.m. historical performances include:

Feb. 15 – “From the Heart, So Much to Discover: The Heritage of Ohio’s Black Voices” by Lyn Ford
Experience the heritage of promise, strength, humor, and hope in the lives and words of a few of Ohio’s Black voices, shared by one of the state’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.

Feb. 22 – “Of Memory and History: An Affrilachian Storyteller Speaks” by Lyn Ford
Humor and heart are rooted in our families’ storytelling traditions. Culture, stories and folktales are shared by one of Ohio’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.


About Lyn Ford:

Lyn Ford is an award-winning storyteller and teaching artist based in Columbus, Ohio. Her performances are related to her experiences of Affrilachian culture and family stories. She is a performer at storytelling festivals in Canada, Hawaii, Australia, Ireland, and across the United States. Lyn is the author of storytelling magazine articles and has written several books.

Read Lyn's poetry in the upcoming publications: I Thought I heard a Cardinal Sing: Ohio's Appalachian Voices, scheduled for publication in March 2022, and the journal Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the spring 2022 "Birth" issue.


Capitol Café at the Ohio Statehouse

In honor of the Black History Month presentations, HouseTaco at the Capitol Café will offer a discount of 15% off food orders on Tuesday, February 15 and Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Patrons may use the promo code 1522 with online orders of $5 minimum. HouseTaco is located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse.


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