Capitol Square
CSRAB
Museum Shop
Parking
News Media
Capitol Square Foundation
Public Tours
School and Group Tours
Self-Guided Tours
Museum Education Center
Battery A
Great Ohioans
Governor Portraits
George Washington Williams Room
County Flags
Ohio Presidents
Ladies' Gallery
Museum Collections Catalog
Flags for 9-11 in 2025
2025 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
America 250-Ohio
Ohio Constitution Videos
Ohio Statehouse Videos
News Archive
Mailing List
Your Event
Weddings
About
Visit
Museum
Photos
Video
News
Events
Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting 2024
Holiday Santa Photos 2024
2024-11-03 Olympic and Paralympic Celebration
STATEHOUSE NEWS
Starting her political career at the local level in Reynoldsburg, OH, Davidson served for ten years on the Reynoldsburg city council. Elected to the Ohio House in 1980, Speaker Davidson served from 1981 through 2000. Davidson was a member of the Republican leadership team starting in 1985 as assistant minority whip, minority whip, and minority leader prior to the 121st Ohio General Assembly. Davidson became the first female Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1995, a post she held until 2000 through three General Assemblies (121st-123rd).
Upon leaving the legislature her service has not ended. Speaker Davidson serves on a plethora of non-profit boards such as the Girl Scouts of America, the March of Dimes, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and the American Heart Association; as well as, serving on the board of trustees of The Ohio State University, Franklin University, the University of Findlay, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, and the Capitol Square Foundation.
Currently, Speaker Davidson is chair of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. In addition to this, Davidson is founder and president of JAD Associates, a consulting firm focusing on public policy development and analysis, strategic planning and political advocacy.
“Speaker Jo Ann Davidson has served Ohio and shaped policy for over thirty years, and she continues to inspire future leaders of the Buckeye state. Her portrait is a fabulous addition to our art collection here at the Statehouse,” said William Carleton, executive director of CSRAB.
The portrait was commissioned by CSRAB through the Ladies Gallery Committee chaired by former Attorney General and Auditor of Ohio, Betty Montgomery. Toledo native, Leslie Adams, was chosen to execute the piece.
Adams, a graduate of the prestigious New York Academy of Art, is an internationally recognized artist who specializes in figurative art and portraiture. Her patrons include distinguished members of private society as well as the corporate, academic, religious, cultural, and civic leaders of our day. Her paintings and drawings have received a multitude of awards from institutions including the Toledo Museum of Art, Butler Institute of American Art, National Arts Club, and the Art Student’s League of New York.
Ms. Adams is currently one of only forty-eight artists in the United States whose work is exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. in the celebrated Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Exhibition. Her monumental drawing, “The Art of Life” is also included in the Art Renewal Center’s International 2012/13 ARC Salon. In April, her work, “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl” was honored with the William F. Draper Grand Prize in the Portrait Society of America’s, 15th Annual International Portrait Competition Exhibition in Atlanta, GA; the highest honor bestowed upon an artist in the competition and the first of its kind given to a drawing. The portrait of Speaker Davidson will be installed in the Ladies’ Gallery located in the Ohio Statehouse, and is Adams' ninth official portrait commissioned for the state of Ohio.
# # #
- CSRAB Main Office
- South Sliding Doors
- East Senate Building Entrance (Third Street)
If you plan to attend the Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Tuesday, December 3, please, help us support this worthy cause. Two additional drop-of points will be added for the Statehouse holiday event, one in the Rotunda and the second in the Atrium. "What better way to spread holiday cheer than to touch the life of a child in need," said William Carleton, executive director of CSRAB. "The Statehouse is proud support 'Toys For Tots' in their effort to brighten the holidays for those less fortunate in central Ohio."
The festival marks the beginning of the holiday season on Capitol Square and throughout all of central Ohio. The indoor ceremony will take place in the Statehouse Atrium and consist of a short program, welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by the lighting of our historically decorated holiday tree. The festivities will then continue with refreshments, arts and crafts activities, games and special performances by local bands and choirs. There will also be a free photo station available to capture your families’ moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Refreshments courtesy of Starbucks on Capitol Square, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council and the eight exclusive caterers of the Ohio Statehouse.
Scheduled activities include:
Ongoing Activity Stations:
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Ohio Ornament
Highlights Magazine Activity Table
Office of the Treasurer Activity Table
Office of the Secretary of State, Vote for your Favorite Holiday Tradition
Office of the State Auditor, Reindeer Hats
Office of the Attorney General Activity Table
American Red Cross, Writing Letters to Soldiers
COSI, Fun with Physics
Make Snowman Treats
CAMA, Face Painting
Make a Hand Print Wreath
Ohio Paper Folders, Holiday Origami Station
Writing Letters to Santa
Play Pin the Nose on Rudolf
Play Santa Says
Holiday Bookmark
Performances on the Museum Gallery Stage:
Kristina D’Onofrio and Brandon Whited performing Sugar Plum pas de deaux
Highway Patrol Bomb Dog demonstration
Pickerington High School Chamber Orchestra
Choir Line Up:
The Alliance of Greater Central Ohio
Con Brio Children’s Choir
Mad River Dulcimer Society
Worthington Chorus
Mascots:
Holiday Cardinal
Clara and the Nutcracker- BalletMet Columbus
Lou Seal- Columbus Clippers
Krash- Columbus Clippers
Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Come and join us for this magical night at the Ohio Statehouse to start off your holiday season! Convenient and affordable parking is available during the event in the Ohio Statehouse underground parking garage. Parking rates are available at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
Holiday press images are available at: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/Multimedia/MediaLibrary/Collection.aspx?start=1&collectionId=108513 or upon request.
To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.
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 and 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.
# # #
Calendar Listing:
The Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse; 1 Capitol Square; downtown Columbus
www.ohiostatehouse.org
614/728-9777
Join us at the Ohio Statehouse for our family friendly Capitol Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. This indoor event is free and open to the public with affordable parking available. Come and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, watch the magnificent lighting of our holiday tree, enjoy some refreshments, participate in festive arts and crafts activities, and listen to the sweet sounds of local bands and choirs.
This award is an opportunity to recognize Ohioans who have made an impact in a number of important areas. A complete explanation of the nomination process and nomination forms can be found online at www.ohiostatehouse.org or http://www.capitolsquarefoundation.org/Great_Ohioan.htm.
All Ohioans, including teachers and students, are encouraged to participate in the nomination process.
Great Ohioan nomination categories include:
• inventions/medicine/science
• literature/journalism/history
• academics
• communications/education
• entertainment/sports
• government/military/public service/religion
Deadline for nominations is Sunday, December 1, 2013. The Capitol Square Foundation may select up to three nominees to submit for selection to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the oversight body for the Capitol Square complex. The Great Ohioan Award recipients will be announced and recognized in early 2014.
Since 2003, 30 Great Ohioans have been recognized with the award for the special roles they played in history. The Great Ohioans include;
2003 Class: Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors; John Glenn, first American to orbit the earth; and Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon;
2008 Class: Jesse Owens, Olympic track and field star; Thomas Edison, inventor; Harriet Beecher Stowe, author; James Thurber, journalist and author; Colonel Charles Young, military leader; and Dr. George Crile, founder of the Cleveland Clinic;
2009 Class: Catherine Nelson Black, health care humanitarian; Salmon P. Chase, Ohio Governor, Secretary of the Treasury and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice; Paul Laurence Dunbar, poet and author; Charles F. Kettering, inventor; Eddie Rickenbacker, World War I fighter ace; and Denton T. “Cy” Young, baseball legend.
2010 Class: James M. Cox, journalist, member of the United States House of Representatives, Ohio Governor; Florence Ellinwood Allen, first woman Ohio Supreme Court Justice; Bob Feller, baseball legend; and Bill Willis, National Football League hall of famer.
2011 Class: Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War General and U.S. President; William Moore McCulloch, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, U.S. Congressman and civil rights advocate; William Howard Taft, U.S. President and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice; and Harriet Taylor Upton, women’s rights advocate and author.
2012 Class: Gordon Battelle, philanthropist and researcher; Dominic Salavtore “Don” Gentile, World War II fighter pilot; Washington Gladden, clergyman and social reformer; Albert Belmont Graham, founder of the 4-H program; Albert Sabin, medical researcher best known for the oral polio vaccine; and William T. Sherman, Civil War general.
2013 Class: James Abram Garfield, scholar, Civil War General and U.S. President; Granville T. Wood, entrepreneur and inventor; Paul Brown, professional football innovator, coach and executive.
A special exhibit in the Ohio Statehouse Museum pays tribute to all Great Ohioan Award recipients. On a large touch screen, a host of options are available for visitors to explore the life and accomplishments of each recipient. While countless Ohioans have performed great actions for their community and beyond, only a select few have been named a “Great Ohioan.” The 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 video, photos and web based technology to explore the life and legacy of each Great Ohioan. The Capitol Square Foundation has raised more than $5 million in private donations for the new museum and enhanced education programming at the Ohio Statehouse.
The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board 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 and visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum shines a light on the history of this great edifice, its symbolic meaning and its vital historic and ongoing connections to the daily lives of all Ohioans.
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.
###
Great Ohioan Nomination Form
Ohio Statehouse, Room 16
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-5825
Fax: (614) 221-1989
Email: CSF@AssnOffices.com
This form may be replicated by photocopying, scanning, or other means for easier preparation.
Great Ohioan Nomination Form
Award Goal: To commemorate the significant role of Ohioans in an event or series of events of lasting significance in World, American or Ohio history through the awarding of the Capitol Square Foundation’s “Great Ohioan” Award.
Award Criteria:
• Must be an individual Ohioan or group of Ohioans who have made a significant or lasting contribution to the World, American or Ohio history; and
• Must have been born in Ohio or lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years; and
• At least 25 years have passed since the event, which the nominee played a role in, is being commemorated; and
• There is a compelling reason why the Ohio Statehouse, rather than some other location in the state, should be the location of the award or commemorative work.
NOMINEE NAME ______________________________________________________________
Category: - Inventions/Medicines/Science - Literature/Journalism/Historiography - Academics
- Communications/Education - Entertainment/Sports - Government/Military/Public Service/Religion
ADDRESS (if known) ____________________________________________________________
PHONE ____________________
FAX ___________________
EMAIL ____________________________________
Please include with this nomination form, a narrative (no more than three pages) explaining how the nominee meets the award criteria mentioned above.
NOMINATOR NAME _______________________________________________________________
COMPANY/SCHOOL ________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________________
PHONE ____________________
FAX ___________________
EMAIL ____________________________________
Please mail 1) nomination form and 2) narrative to: Great Ohioan Committee, Ohio Statehouse, Room 16, Columbus, OH 43215. Fax: 614-221-1989 Attn: Great Ohioan Committee. Email: CSF@AssnOffices.com
Please submit nominations by: December 1, 2013
A special exhibit pays tribute to all Great Ohioan Award recipients at the Ohio Statehouse Museum.
Thanks to a newly installed baler, CSRAB now has the capability to recycle the massive amount of cardboard the Statehouse collects. In addition, permanent and special event recycling containers have substantially decreased waste at the Ohio Statehouse. 'The recycling program brings us closer to our goal of improved efficiency and responsible management,' said William Carleton, executive director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. 'This program coupled with more efficient utility usage highlights our commitment to a 'greener Ohio Statehouse.'
Free-standing, green recycling containers can be found on the north, west and south Plazas of Capitol Square. Beige recycling containers can be found in the Statehouse parking garage at the north and south sliding doors, stairwells leading to the north and south penthouses, and the entrances to the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts and the Huntington Center. Gray recycling containers are located throughout the Ohio Statehouse and the Senate Building.
To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.
# # #
Each tour will last approximately an hour. Available tour times include: 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are limited to 40 individuals per tour time each night. This event has sold out the previous seven years.
Tickets for the Haunted Statehouse Tours are $12 per adult and $6 per child under the age of 12. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Tickets can be purchased three ways:
-Online at www.statehouseshop.com (click "Seasonal");
-By visiting the Statehouse Museum Shop on the ground floor of the Ohio
Statehouse;
-Or purchasing over the phone by calling 614/728-9234.
Statehouse staff members and volunteers will combine history and legend in this special family-friendly haunted Statehouse tour. Conductors will lead visitors through the dimly lit limestone corridors of the Ohio Statehouse by lantern. This historical tour is spooky but appropriate for all members of the family. The tour is most suitable for individuals over the age of 12.
Special activities will be available to participate in before each tour. The Statehouse Museum shop will be open throughout the evening and will offer candy apples, candy and caramel corn, cookies and soda for purchase. In addition, special Halloween merchandise will be offered for purchase. More information is available at www.statehouseshop.com.
Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse are invited to park in the facility's underground parking garage. This convenient and affordable parking offers direct sheltered access to the Ohio Statehouse for this event. Parking fee is not included in ticket price. Parking rates are available at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
For more information about the Haunted Statehouse Tours, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org
or contact 614/728-9234.
High resolution press 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 tour will be conducted by Dale M. Gnidovic, curator of the OSU Orton Geological Museum, and Mike Angle, assistant division chief at ODNR Division of Geological Survey. The tour will focus on the "Building Stones of Capitol Square." For more information, visit www.earthsciweek.org. To reserve a free spot, call 614/728-2697 or lstedke@csrab.state.oh.us.
The Ohio Statehouse is constructed of Columbus Limestone. Columbus Limestone is of the Middle Devonian age and was named for the city where it has long been quarried. A large vein of Columbus Limestone formed in a north-south line, from the Glacial Grooves of Kelleys Island in Lake Erie, south to Columbus, Ohio. Four hundred million years ago the limestone was the sandy bottom of a tropical ocean that covered the state. Fossils of marine animals are abundant in Columbus Limestone and can be seen throughout the Capitol Square complex.
To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.
# # #
CALENDAR LISTING:
Earth Science Week Fossil Tour
October 11, 2013, Noon
Ohio Statehouse, Broad &; High Streets downtown Columbus
Map Room, Ground Floor of Statehouse
www.ohiostatehouse.org
614/752-9777
To reserve a free spot, call 614/728-2130 or lstedke@csrab.state.oh.us.
Established in 1988, by the 117th Ohio General Assembly (OGA), CSRAB managed the massive $132 million restoration of the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square. With completion of the restoration in 1996, CSRAB transitioned from construction manager to building authority. CSRAB is charged with “maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in and visit the complex.”
For forty years, Senator Richard H. Finan has dedicated his life to serving his fellow Ohioan’s in a variety of positions at the state level. Senator Finan was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1973, having previously served as Mayor of Evendale. He joined the Ohio Senate in 1978 and was elected the body’s president in 1997 serving through 2002. During his early years in the OGA Finan found the condition of the Ohio Statehouse wanting. The original Greek Revival edifice was showing signs of age and the interior had been neglected since the mid 1950’s. “I had a fire chief from Evendale come visit shortly after I started in the House. He found 65 code violations in a short walk from the parking garage to my office in the basement of the Statehouse, the place was a firetrap,” Finan explained in a 2011 interview with reporter Bill Cohen.
Under the leadership of Finan, the Capitol Square restoration master plan began in October 1989. The Senate Building and Atrium restoration projects were completed in 1993. The Ohio Statehouse became the focus of the project in 1993 and was completed three years later.
Throughout the restoration, Senator Finan pushed for historical accuracy whenever possible. His belief in restoring the Ohio Statehouse to its 1861 glory wasn’t always easy or inexpensive. The Senator educated skeptics on the importance of historical accuracy and outlasted the detractors and political winds of the time. Today visitors can see a reproduction of the 1849 stained-glass Seal of Ohio skylight, located in the Rotunda oculus. William Powell's "Perry's Victory," the first piece of artwork commissioned for the Statehouse, was returned to its original location in the Rotunda.
As Chairman of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Richard Finan championed the history, preservation and functionality of the Ohio Statehouse. He served as a true leader and interpreter of Statehouse history for legislators, dignitaries and guests. “There is no doubt in my mind that without the vision, passion and leadership of Senator Richard H. Finan, the Ohio Statehouse would not be the architectural jewel it is today,” said William Carleton, executive director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. “As the only chair this agency has known Senator Finan has been a steadfast and passionate advocate for this magnificent building.”
Because of Senator Finan’s dedication to educating young people about Ohio history and the legislative process, he led the way to create a museum and education center on the Statehouse’s ground floor. Featuring educational displays and hands-on computer kiosks, this area serves nearly 80,000 tour visitors each year, inspiring the next generation of public servants.
Please, join us in celebration of Senator Richard H. Finan’s forty years of service to the State of Ohio, Wednesday, October, 16 from 4-6 p.m. in the Statehouse Atrium. Messages of congratulations and thanks should be sent to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board prior to the event. Mail to:
Senator Finan Thank You
Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215
To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.
# # #