Ohio Statehouse celebrates sesquicentennial
By
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The people of Ohio will celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse throughout 2011. The Ohio Statehouse has served as the heart of Ohio democracy for the last 150 years. Throughout the state, the Ohio Statehouse stands as a symbol of the legislative and executive branches of state government, and the people of Ohio.
After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was completed in 1861 at the beginning of the American Civil War. One hundred and fifty years later, the Ohio Statehouse continues to serve as heart of Ohio democracy.
The Statehouse is considered to be one of the most significant architectural accomplishments of the early republic. Its Greek Revival Doric architectural details and proportions give the impression of permanence, elegance and grandeur deserved by the original State Legislature who passed a law on Jan. 26, 1838 to build the new Statehouse. Restored to its 1861 appearance, the Ohio Statehouse maintains its historic character as it continues to function as the center of state government in Ohio.
Throughout 2011, the Ohio Statehouse will host a variety of special events, re-enactments and exhibits to celebrate the sesquicentennial of our great Capitol Building. The events will commemorate the lasting legacy and history of the Ohio Statehouse. Through educational programs, public forums, arts projects and special events, the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the history of the building, events and the people who have come to serve.
Scheduled events and educational opportunities include:
Ohio Statehouse Adorned in Patriotic Bunting
Sesquicentennial Event
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Red, white and blue patriotic bunting will adorn the west columns of the Ohio Statehouse throughout 2011. The bunting will draw attention to the significance of the Statehouse's year-long sesquicentennial celebration.
Ohio Statehouse Creativity Challenge and Online Gallery
Sesquicentennial Event
Through December 2011
Ohio Statehouse, www.OhioStatehouse.org
Free!
The 150th anniversary of the Ohio Statehouse is an opportunity for students K-12 to demonstrate their creativity by participating in the celebration. Students across Ohio have the opportunity to create a work of art based on the theme, "Picture Yourself at the People's House." Every work of art will be highlighted online at www.OhioStatehouse.org, and a rotating exhibit will feature a variety of submissions each month throughout the year-long celebration. Detailed information is available at www.OhioStatehouse.org.
Statehouse Museum Shop Commemorative Merchandise Available
Sesquicentennial Event
January through December 2011
Statehouse Museum Shop, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
The Statehouse Museum Shop will unveil Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial merchandise to commemorate the year-long sesquicentennial celebration. Merchandise is also available at www.statehouseshop.com.
Grande Winter Ball
Sesquicentennial Event
Jan. 29, 2011; 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Atrium, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free, RSVP required by visiting www.ohiostatehouse.org!
Individuals of all ages are invited to attend the Grande Winter Ball hosted by Civil War re-enactors, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A. Come dance or watch. Learn how to reel or waltz. Dress in attire of the Civil War period or come as you are. This event highlights the time period in which the Statehouse was first constructed.
The event is FREE; due to limited space an online registration is required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
For more information, contact 614/728-4185.
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.
Black History Month at the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
Feb. 1 - 28, 2011
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a special display, free historical performances each Tuesday 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 Wednesday in February.
Special Black History Month exhibition
Through Feb. 28, 2011
Map Room
Living history programs featuring interpreters portraying prominent historical African Americans
Each Tuesday; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 2011
12 p.m. 1 p.m.
Crypt
Soul Food Wednesdays at the Capitol Cafe
Each Wednesday; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2011
12 p.m. 1 p.m.
George Washington Williams Room Tours
Visit the room which memorializes Ohio's first African-American legislator.
10 a.m. 3 p.m.
Abraham Lincoln Re-enactor Visits the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
Feb. 13, 2011
2 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free, RSVP required by visiting www.ohiostatehouse.org!
Explore Ohio's connection with Abraham Lincoln with a visit from President Lincoln. Our nation's 16th President will provide an hour-long presentation. The program will occur 150 years to the day from Lincoln's historic speech to the 54th Ohio General Assembly on Feb. 13, 1865. Free and open to the public, online RSVP required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
The 150th Anniversary of President-elect Abraham Lincoln's inaugural trip from Springfield, Ill. to Washington D.C. provides an excellent
opportunity for a conversation about the importance of the coming Civil War Sesquicentennial. The goal of the reenactment is to provide the public with insight into the issues that this nation faced just prior to the Civil War and illustrate how this story resonates today.
This program is presented in partnership with the National Park Service.
The event is FREE; due to limited seating an online registration is required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
Civil War and Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial Ohio National Guard
Encampment & Ceremony -- Commemoration of the Beginning of the American
Civil War & the Completion of the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
April 10, 2011
11 a.m. 3 p.m.
Ceremony to take place at 2 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse West Plaza
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The Ohio National Guard, in partnership with the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Historical Society will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Ohio unit mustered into federal service for the American Civil War. The event is the statewide kickoff weekend for the Ohio Civil War 150 celebration. Visitors will have the opportunity see an 1861 encampment as well as a modern-day encampment, meet "Abraham Lincoln," see a variety of homeland defense vehicles and witness ceremonies honoring the history of America's armed forces.
This program is presented in partnership with the Ohio National Guard.
Sesquicentennial Tree Planting and Commemoration of the Beginning of the
American Civil War
Sesquicentennial Event
April 12, 2011
10:30 a.m.
Ohio Statehouse, North Plaza and Rotunda
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
Ohio's elected leaders have been invited to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse by planting a tree on Capitol Square. The event will include re-enactors dressed in period garb as well as "General Grant," "Governor Dennison," and "President Lincoln." Members of Battery A will fire the Ohio Statehouse cannon at the conclusion of the event to commemorate the beginning of the American Civil War which began on this day in 1861.
The Ohio Statehouse will rededicate the three Ohio Governors portraits who served during the Civil War. The portraits will be on display in the Rotunda through 2011. Ohio Governors who served during the Civil War include: William Dennison, Jr. (1860-1862), David Tod (1862-1864) and John Brough (1864-1865).
The Repose of President Lincoln
Replica Lincoln's Casket and Photo Exhibit on View
And Special Presentation about Lincoln's Funeral Train
Sesquicentennial Event
April 29, 2011; 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Rotunda, Broad & High Streets; downtown
Columbus
Free!
The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, a group of Civil War re-enactors, will provide an honor guard for a replica of Lincoln's casket from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This will take place on the site where the slain President lay in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on April 29, 1865.
A special exhibit of images from the Library of Congress will be on view in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on Lincoln's assassination and the men and women named as conspirators along with their fate. This exhibit is for mature audiences.
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.
Civil War Encampment
Sesquicentennial Event
May 6 and 7, 2011; 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
West Plaza (High Street Lawn), Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The recently completed Ohio Statehouse hosted Civil War soldiers on their way to battle. Learn what camp life was like during the Civil War. Walk among soldiers' tents, see how to fire the cannon every hour and help the Ladies Aid Society deliver comfort to the troops. Historical re-enactors from 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A and other groups will demonstrate Civil War life, cooking and medical practices. School tours are the focus on Friday and the public is welcome both days. Fun for the whole family!
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A
Plein Air at the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
June 10, 2011
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Outdoor Plazas
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
Join dozens of plein-air artists as they converge on Capitol Square to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Ohio Statehouse. Artists throughout Ohio will "choose a spot" on Capitol Square and paint in the tradition of plein air. En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Ohio Statehouse visitors are invited to visit with artists from Ohio Plein Air as they create their works of art. Artwork created during this day will be placed on exhibit in the Ohio Statehouse July 1 to 31, 2011. Some artwork will be available for purchase in the Statehouse Museum Shop. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled. The event is presented in partnership with Ohio Plein Air. More information about OPA is available at www.ohiopleinair.com.
Old Time Baseball Game and Outdoor Movie on the Statehouse Lawn
Sesquicentennial Event
July 22, 2011
Baseball Game 7 p.m.
Outdoor Movie - Dusk
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
West Plaza
Free!
Celebrate the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial and take a step back to the 1800s with an exhibition game of the Ohio Village Historical Muffins vs. members of the Ohio General Assembly and other elected leaders. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and come to the "People's House" to enjoy the hour-long "old-time" baseball game.
After the baseball game, stay and enjoy a cannon firing demonstration. Several local celebrities will firing the cannon.
And stay for the outdoor movie on the giant screen. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Come early to choose your spot. Food and a cash bar will be available.
Film: "Glory" "Glory" is a 1989 American drama war film based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as told from the point of view of its commanding officer, Robert Gould Shaw during the American Civil War. The 54th was one of the first formal units of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African-American men (apart from the officers). The film was chosen to celebrate the time period in which the Ohio Statehouse was completed.
The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon fire demonstrations leading up to the movie. Re-enactors will also provide old-time games and activities for families.
This program is presented in partnership with CAPA.
Ohio Statehouse Open House and 150th Birthday Celebration
Sesquicentennial Event
Nov. 15, 2011, 2 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Rotunda
Free!
The Ohio Statehouse will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Ohio Statehouse with a birthday celebration and open house, complete with cake. This day of special events will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the important history of the Ohio Statehouse. Special tours will be conducted throughout the day.
November 15, 1861 was the day that the Ohio Statehouse was pronounced complete.
This program is sponsored by the Capitol Square Foundation.
Statehouse Holiday Festival and Open House
Sesquicentennial Event
Dec. 1, 2011
5 7 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Rotunda and Atrium, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The holiday season opens in Ohio with the 96th annual Statehouse event. Attend the Statehouse Holiday Open House and Festival to kick off the 2011 holiday season. Holiday activities include: carolers, refreshments, model trains, community mascots and much more. Historical characters and modern dignitaries will be on hand to greet guests, including Santa himself. Free and open to the public.
This program is sponsored by the Capitol Square Foundation.
Serving as the Heart of Ohio Democracy for 150 Years
The Ohio Statehouse stands at the center of Capitol Square and at the center of public life for Ohioans. It is one of the most historically and
symbolically significant buildings in the nation. Ohio's Capitol is both the seat of state government and a political symbol of our democratic heritage, spirit and accomplishments as a self-governing people.
The identity of a people is shaped by their history, their symbols and their shared experiences. Ohio's Capitol is a fundamentally important part of that shared identity and heritage. This building provides a sense of identity and continuity among past, present and future generations of Ohioans.
Throughout the decades, the Ohio Statehouse has stood the test of time a symbol of democracy that all Ohioans can be proud of. Since the Statehouse was completed, thousands of great men and women have come to serve their fellow citizens as state representatives and senators. Since 1857, when Governor Salmon P. Chase began using the Statehouse, 42 men and one woman have served the people of Ohio as governor.
Elected officials continue to tackle the issues of the day; passing laws that guide our state and its citizens.
The Greek Revival edifice has stood the test of time. Throughout the last 150 years, many historic events and rallies have taken place that has molded us as Ohioans and as Americans. President-elect Lincoln came to speak to a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly in 1861. Four short years later in 1865, Lincoln returned to the Ohio Statehouse where he lay in state in our Rotunda. During only six and a half hours, more than 50,000 Ohioans came to pay their respects to the slain President.
In the early 1900s, women's suffrage was the hot button issue, and Ohio's Statehouse played a pivotal role in changing the law of the land.
Since the very beginning, the Statehouse has been a place for Ohioans of every race, age and creed to gather and participate in the process and celebrate Ohio's great achievements.
Construction began on the Ohio Statehouse 172 years ago and continues to illustrate the state's enduring state pride in faith in democracy. When the great work was finally completed 150 years ago, Ohioans joined together to celebrate the wonder of the difficult achievement that resulted in this centerpiece of Ohio democracy.
For more information about the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial and planned events, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org or call 614/752-9777.
Before Columbus and a New Statehouse
The town of Chillicothe served as Ohio's first capital city from 1803 to 1809 before the Ohio Legislature moved the capital to Zanesville. In 1812, Chillicothe was once again chosen to serve as the capital.
The legislature quickly decided that the permanent capital should be centrally located. In 1816, a 10-acre parcel of land in the Franklinton
area on the west side of the Scioto River was selected as the site for the new capital. The land was donated by John Kerr, Lyne Starling, John Johnston and Alexander McLaughlin, four prominent landholders.
A small brick building was constructed at the corner of State and High Streets and served as Columbus' first Statehouse. By the 1830s, discussions began to construct a new Statehouse to serve the growing population of the new state. Early Ohioans wanted a new Capitol building to serve as a symbol of the state's democratic form of government. The legislature created the Statehouse Act of 1838, creating a commission to conduct a competition to select a design for a new building to be built on the massive 10-acre public square in the heart of the new capital city.
Under Construction
The Statehouse Act of 1838 resulted in several design submissions for a new Statehouse. However, the commission selected three and advised the legislature that any one of the designs were acceptable. The three winning plans were similar, with balanced wings containing the legislative chambers, porticos and domes.
The legislature began construction of the Statehouse based on a composite design incorporating the best features of all three of the winners. The architects looked for inspiration to the architecture of ancient Greek city-states, the first democratic societies in the western world, and based the Ohio Statehouse on the design of ancient Greek temples.
Construction on the new building actively began on July 4, 1839 with the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone. Prison labor from the Ohio
Penitentiary was used to construct the foundation and ground floors of the building. Objections from skilled tradesman, who felt they were losing out on good-paying jobs, brought about changes in hiring practices for the remainder of the construction.
During the course of the Statehouse's construction, 22 years would pass, but it would not be a period of non-stop work. Construction would cease during the harsh winter months, and as the project would exceed its budget, there would often be halts in construction as new funding was arranged. The longest gap in construction came about when the legislation making Columbus the state capital was due to expire. There was an eight-year lapse (1840-1848) when no work was done on the Statehouse. The completed basement and foundations were filled in with soil, and Capitol Square was used as a pasture. The Statehouse finally opened to legislators and the public in 1857 when
legislators began meeting in their respective chambers, and most of the executive offices were occupied. After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was officially dubbed complete on November 15, 1861 just months after the beginning of the American Civil War.
About Greek Revival Style of Architecture
The Ohio Statehouse is built in the Greek Revival style, a type of design based on the buildings of Ancient Greece and very popular in the U.S. during the early and mid-1800s. Because the city-states of Ancient Greece were the birthplace of democracy, the style had great meaning in the young American nation. Greek Revival was simple and straightforward and looked nothing like the Gothic Revival buildings popular in Europe during the same period. The broad horizontal mass of the Statehouse and the even and regular rows of
columns resemble such buildings as the Parthenon in Athens. It is a masonry building, consisting largely of Columbus limestone. The limestone was taken from a quarry on the west banks of the Scioto River.
Time Line of Some Important Events Associated with the Ohio Statehouse 1816: The seat of state government moves from Chillicothe to its new home in Columbus.
1839: Construction of our Statehouse begins
1840 to 1848: No work on the new Statehouse takes place. It takes 22 years to complete due to political wrangling, cholera epidemics and lack of funding
1843: Columbus declared Ohio's permanent state capitol
1852: The original 1816 Statehouse burns, and work on the current Statehouse proceeds more earnestly
1857: Governor Salmon P. Chase and the Ohio Legislature move into the new Statehouse
1859: Abraham Lincoln speaks to a small crowd while campaigning from the east terrace of the Statehouse
1861: Abraham Lincoln visits the Ohio Statehouse on his way to Washington, DC. While in the Governor's Office, Lincoln received a telegram informing him that the election results had been duly certified by the electoral college, and he was indeed the President-Elect
1861: On November 15, the Statehouse is deemed complete. It is considered one of the country's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture
1865: First work of art commissioned by the Ohio Legislature is installed in the Rotunda; Perry's Victory has resided in the building ever since
1865: President Abraham Lincoln lay in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on April 29. More than 50,000 mourners pass by his open casket
1867: Governor Rutherford B. Hayes begins the important tradition of having an official portrait made of all the state's Governors. All the Ohio Governors' portraits continue to reside in the Ohio Statehouse.
1880: Early telephone communications begin with service to the House Chamber.
1880: George Washington Williams serves in the Ohio House of Representatives and is the state's first African-American legislator.
1888: The state places electric lights in the Supreme Court room in the Statehouse and the entire building is wired for electricity by 1892.
1912: More than 5,000 Ohio women march for suffrage at the Ohio Statehouse. Seven years later, Ohio votes in favor of the 19th amendment.
1922: The first women state senators, Nettie Longhead and Maude C. Waitt, and the first women state representatives, Nettie MacKenzie Clapp, Lulu T. Gleason, May Van Wyn and Adelaide Sterling Ott, are elected.
1960: Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate sessions are televised for the first time.
1964: Construction on the Ohio Statehouse underground parking garage completed.
1989: Restoration of the Ohio Statehouse begins.
1996: Restoration of the Ohio Statehouse deemed complete.
2009: Ohio Statehouse Museum opens to the public on June 9.
2011: Ohio Statehouse celebrates its 150th anniversary.[[In-content Ad]]
After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was completed in 1861 at the beginning of the American Civil War. One hundred and fifty years later, the Ohio Statehouse continues to serve as heart of Ohio democracy.
The Statehouse is considered to be one of the most significant architectural accomplishments of the early republic. Its Greek Revival Doric architectural details and proportions give the impression of permanence, elegance and grandeur deserved by the original State Legislature who passed a law on Jan. 26, 1838 to build the new Statehouse. Restored to its 1861 appearance, the Ohio Statehouse maintains its historic character as it continues to function as the center of state government in Ohio.
Throughout 2011, the Ohio Statehouse will host a variety of special events, re-enactments and exhibits to celebrate the sesquicentennial of our great Capitol Building. The events will commemorate the lasting legacy and history of the Ohio Statehouse. Through educational programs, public forums, arts projects and special events, the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the history of the building, events and the people who have come to serve.
Scheduled events and educational opportunities include:
Ohio Statehouse Adorned in Patriotic Bunting
Sesquicentennial Event
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Red, white and blue patriotic bunting will adorn the west columns of the Ohio Statehouse throughout 2011. The bunting will draw attention to the significance of the Statehouse's year-long sesquicentennial celebration.
Ohio Statehouse Creativity Challenge and Online Gallery
Sesquicentennial Event
Through December 2011
Ohio Statehouse, www.OhioStatehouse.org
Free!
The 150th anniversary of the Ohio Statehouse is an opportunity for students K-12 to demonstrate their creativity by participating in the celebration. Students across Ohio have the opportunity to create a work of art based on the theme, "Picture Yourself at the People's House." Every work of art will be highlighted online at www.OhioStatehouse.org, and a rotating exhibit will feature a variety of submissions each month throughout the year-long celebration. Detailed information is available at www.OhioStatehouse.org.
Statehouse Museum Shop Commemorative Merchandise Available
Sesquicentennial Event
January through December 2011
Statehouse Museum Shop, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
The Statehouse Museum Shop will unveil Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial merchandise to commemorate the year-long sesquicentennial celebration. Merchandise is also available at www.statehouseshop.com.
Grande Winter Ball
Sesquicentennial Event
Jan. 29, 2011; 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Atrium, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free, RSVP required by visiting www.ohiostatehouse.org!
Individuals of all ages are invited to attend the Grande Winter Ball hosted by Civil War re-enactors, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A. Come dance or watch. Learn how to reel or waltz. Dress in attire of the Civil War period or come as you are. This event highlights the time period in which the Statehouse was first constructed.
The event is FREE; due to limited space an online registration is required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
For more information, contact 614/728-4185.
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.
Black History Month at the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
Feb. 1 - 28, 2011
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a special display, free historical performances each Tuesday 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 Wednesday in February.
Special Black History Month exhibition
Through Feb. 28, 2011
Map Room
Living history programs featuring interpreters portraying prominent historical African Americans
Each Tuesday; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 2011
12 p.m. 1 p.m.
Crypt
Soul Food Wednesdays at the Capitol Cafe
Each Wednesday; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2011
12 p.m. 1 p.m.
George Washington Williams Room Tours
Visit the room which memorializes Ohio's first African-American legislator.
10 a.m. 3 p.m.
Abraham Lincoln Re-enactor Visits the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
Feb. 13, 2011
2 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free, RSVP required by visiting www.ohiostatehouse.org!
Explore Ohio's connection with Abraham Lincoln with a visit from President Lincoln. Our nation's 16th President will provide an hour-long presentation. The program will occur 150 years to the day from Lincoln's historic speech to the 54th Ohio General Assembly on Feb. 13, 1865. Free and open to the public, online RSVP required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
The 150th Anniversary of President-elect Abraham Lincoln's inaugural trip from Springfield, Ill. to Washington D.C. provides an excellent
opportunity for a conversation about the importance of the coming Civil War Sesquicentennial. The goal of the reenactment is to provide the public with insight into the issues that this nation faced just prior to the Civil War and illustrate how this story resonates today.
This program is presented in partnership with the National Park Service.
The event is FREE; due to limited seating an online registration is required at www.ohiostatehouse.org.
Civil War and Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial Ohio National Guard
Encampment & Ceremony -- Commemoration of the Beginning of the American
Civil War & the Completion of the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
April 10, 2011
11 a.m. 3 p.m.
Ceremony to take place at 2 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse West Plaza
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The Ohio National Guard, in partnership with the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Historical Society will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Ohio unit mustered into federal service for the American Civil War. The event is the statewide kickoff weekend for the Ohio Civil War 150 celebration. Visitors will have the opportunity see an 1861 encampment as well as a modern-day encampment, meet "Abraham Lincoln," see a variety of homeland defense vehicles and witness ceremonies honoring the history of America's armed forces.
This program is presented in partnership with the Ohio National Guard.
Sesquicentennial Tree Planting and Commemoration of the Beginning of the
American Civil War
Sesquicentennial Event
April 12, 2011
10:30 a.m.
Ohio Statehouse, North Plaza and Rotunda
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
Ohio's elected leaders have been invited to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse by planting a tree on Capitol Square. The event will include re-enactors dressed in period garb as well as "General Grant," "Governor Dennison," and "President Lincoln." Members of Battery A will fire the Ohio Statehouse cannon at the conclusion of the event to commemorate the beginning of the American Civil War which began on this day in 1861.
The Ohio Statehouse will rededicate the three Ohio Governors portraits who served during the Civil War. The portraits will be on display in the Rotunda through 2011. Ohio Governors who served during the Civil War include: William Dennison, Jr. (1860-1862), David Tod (1862-1864) and John Brough (1864-1865).
The Repose of President Lincoln
Replica Lincoln's Casket and Photo Exhibit on View
And Special Presentation about Lincoln's Funeral Train
Sesquicentennial Event
April 29, 2011; 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Rotunda, Broad & High Streets; downtown
Columbus
Free!
The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, a group of Civil War re-enactors, will provide an honor guard for a replica of Lincoln's casket from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This will take place on the site where the slain President lay in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on April 29, 1865.
A special exhibit of images from the Library of Congress will be on view in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on Lincoln's assassination and the men and women named as conspirators along with their fate. This exhibit is for mature audiences.
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.
Civil War Encampment
Sesquicentennial Event
May 6 and 7, 2011; 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
West Plaza (High Street Lawn), Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The recently completed Ohio Statehouse hosted Civil War soldiers on their way to battle. Learn what camp life was like during the Civil War. Walk among soldiers' tents, see how to fire the cannon every hour and help the Ladies Aid Society deliver comfort to the troops. Historical re-enactors from 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A and other groups will demonstrate Civil War life, cooking and medical practices. School tours are the focus on Friday and the public is welcome both days. Fun for the whole family!
This program is supported by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A
Plein Air at the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
June 10, 2011
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Outdoor Plazas
Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
Join dozens of plein-air artists as they converge on Capitol Square to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Ohio Statehouse. Artists throughout Ohio will "choose a spot" on Capitol Square and paint in the tradition of plein air. En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Ohio Statehouse visitors are invited to visit with artists from Ohio Plein Air as they create their works of art. Artwork created during this day will be placed on exhibit in the Ohio Statehouse July 1 to 31, 2011. Some artwork will be available for purchase in the Statehouse Museum Shop. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled. The event is presented in partnership with Ohio Plein Air. More information about OPA is available at www.ohiopleinair.com.
Old Time Baseball Game and Outdoor Movie on the Statehouse Lawn
Sesquicentennial Event
July 22, 2011
Baseball Game 7 p.m.
Outdoor Movie - Dusk
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
West Plaza
Free!
Celebrate the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial and take a step back to the 1800s with an exhibition game of the Ohio Village Historical Muffins vs. members of the Ohio General Assembly and other elected leaders. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and come to the "People's House" to enjoy the hour-long "old-time" baseball game.
After the baseball game, stay and enjoy a cannon firing demonstration. Several local celebrities will firing the cannon.
And stay for the outdoor movie on the giant screen. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Come early to choose your spot. Food and a cash bar will be available.
Film: "Glory" "Glory" is a 1989 American drama war film based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as told from the point of view of its commanding officer, Robert Gould Shaw during the American Civil War. The 54th was one of the first formal units of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African-American men (apart from the officers). The film was chosen to celebrate the time period in which the Ohio Statehouse was completed.
The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon fire demonstrations leading up to the movie. Re-enactors will also provide old-time games and activities for families.
This program is presented in partnership with CAPA.
Ohio Statehouse Open House and 150th Birthday Celebration
Sesquicentennial Event
Nov. 15, 2011, 2 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Rotunda
Free!
The Ohio Statehouse will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Ohio Statehouse with a birthday celebration and open house, complete with cake. This day of special events will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the important history of the Ohio Statehouse. Special tours will be conducted throughout the day.
November 15, 1861 was the day that the Ohio Statehouse was pronounced complete.
This program is sponsored by the Capitol Square Foundation.
Statehouse Holiday Festival and Open House
Sesquicentennial Event
Dec. 1, 2011
5 7 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Rotunda and Atrium, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free!
The holiday season opens in Ohio with the 96th annual Statehouse event. Attend the Statehouse Holiday Open House and Festival to kick off the 2011 holiday season. Holiday activities include: carolers, refreshments, model trains, community mascots and much more. Historical characters and modern dignitaries will be on hand to greet guests, including Santa himself. Free and open to the public.
This program is sponsored by the Capitol Square Foundation.
Serving as the Heart of Ohio Democracy for 150 Years
The Ohio Statehouse stands at the center of Capitol Square and at the center of public life for Ohioans. It is one of the most historically and
symbolically significant buildings in the nation. Ohio's Capitol is both the seat of state government and a political symbol of our democratic heritage, spirit and accomplishments as a self-governing people.
The identity of a people is shaped by their history, their symbols and their shared experiences. Ohio's Capitol is a fundamentally important part of that shared identity and heritage. This building provides a sense of identity and continuity among past, present and future generations of Ohioans.
Throughout the decades, the Ohio Statehouse has stood the test of time a symbol of democracy that all Ohioans can be proud of. Since the Statehouse was completed, thousands of great men and women have come to serve their fellow citizens as state representatives and senators. Since 1857, when Governor Salmon P. Chase began using the Statehouse, 42 men and one woman have served the people of Ohio as governor.
Elected officials continue to tackle the issues of the day; passing laws that guide our state and its citizens.
The Greek Revival edifice has stood the test of time. Throughout the last 150 years, many historic events and rallies have taken place that has molded us as Ohioans and as Americans. President-elect Lincoln came to speak to a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly in 1861. Four short years later in 1865, Lincoln returned to the Ohio Statehouse where he lay in state in our Rotunda. During only six and a half hours, more than 50,000 Ohioans came to pay their respects to the slain President.
In the early 1900s, women's suffrage was the hot button issue, and Ohio's Statehouse played a pivotal role in changing the law of the land.
Since the very beginning, the Statehouse has been a place for Ohioans of every race, age and creed to gather and participate in the process and celebrate Ohio's great achievements.
Construction began on the Ohio Statehouse 172 years ago and continues to illustrate the state's enduring state pride in faith in democracy. When the great work was finally completed 150 years ago, Ohioans joined together to celebrate the wonder of the difficult achievement that resulted in this centerpiece of Ohio democracy.
For more information about the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial and planned events, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org or call 614/752-9777.
Before Columbus and a New Statehouse
The town of Chillicothe served as Ohio's first capital city from 1803 to 1809 before the Ohio Legislature moved the capital to Zanesville. In 1812, Chillicothe was once again chosen to serve as the capital.
The legislature quickly decided that the permanent capital should be centrally located. In 1816, a 10-acre parcel of land in the Franklinton
area on the west side of the Scioto River was selected as the site for the new capital. The land was donated by John Kerr, Lyne Starling, John Johnston and Alexander McLaughlin, four prominent landholders.
A small brick building was constructed at the corner of State and High Streets and served as Columbus' first Statehouse. By the 1830s, discussions began to construct a new Statehouse to serve the growing population of the new state. Early Ohioans wanted a new Capitol building to serve as a symbol of the state's democratic form of government. The legislature created the Statehouse Act of 1838, creating a commission to conduct a competition to select a design for a new building to be built on the massive 10-acre public square in the heart of the new capital city.
Under Construction
The Statehouse Act of 1838 resulted in several design submissions for a new Statehouse. However, the commission selected three and advised the legislature that any one of the designs were acceptable. The three winning plans were similar, with balanced wings containing the legislative chambers, porticos and domes.
The legislature began construction of the Statehouse based on a composite design incorporating the best features of all three of the winners. The architects looked for inspiration to the architecture of ancient Greek city-states, the first democratic societies in the western world, and based the Ohio Statehouse on the design of ancient Greek temples.
Construction on the new building actively began on July 4, 1839 with the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone. Prison labor from the Ohio
Penitentiary was used to construct the foundation and ground floors of the building. Objections from skilled tradesman, who felt they were losing out on good-paying jobs, brought about changes in hiring practices for the remainder of the construction.
During the course of the Statehouse's construction, 22 years would pass, but it would not be a period of non-stop work. Construction would cease during the harsh winter months, and as the project would exceed its budget, there would often be halts in construction as new funding was arranged. The longest gap in construction came about when the legislation making Columbus the state capital was due to expire. There was an eight-year lapse (1840-1848) when no work was done on the Statehouse. The completed basement and foundations were filled in with soil, and Capitol Square was used as a pasture. The Statehouse finally opened to legislators and the public in 1857 when
legislators began meeting in their respective chambers, and most of the executive offices were occupied. After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was officially dubbed complete on November 15, 1861 just months after the beginning of the American Civil War.
About Greek Revival Style of Architecture
The Ohio Statehouse is built in the Greek Revival style, a type of design based on the buildings of Ancient Greece and very popular in the U.S. during the early and mid-1800s. Because the city-states of Ancient Greece were the birthplace of democracy, the style had great meaning in the young American nation. Greek Revival was simple and straightforward and looked nothing like the Gothic Revival buildings popular in Europe during the same period. The broad horizontal mass of the Statehouse and the even and regular rows of
columns resemble such buildings as the Parthenon in Athens. It is a masonry building, consisting largely of Columbus limestone. The limestone was taken from a quarry on the west banks of the Scioto River.
Time Line of Some Important Events Associated with the Ohio Statehouse 1816: The seat of state government moves from Chillicothe to its new home in Columbus.
1839: Construction of our Statehouse begins
1840 to 1848: No work on the new Statehouse takes place. It takes 22 years to complete due to political wrangling, cholera epidemics and lack of funding
1843: Columbus declared Ohio's permanent state capitol
1852: The original 1816 Statehouse burns, and work on the current Statehouse proceeds more earnestly
1857: Governor Salmon P. Chase and the Ohio Legislature move into the new Statehouse
1859: Abraham Lincoln speaks to a small crowd while campaigning from the east terrace of the Statehouse
1861: Abraham Lincoln visits the Ohio Statehouse on his way to Washington, DC. While in the Governor's Office, Lincoln received a telegram informing him that the election results had been duly certified by the electoral college, and he was indeed the President-Elect
1861: On November 15, the Statehouse is deemed complete. It is considered one of the country's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture
1865: First work of art commissioned by the Ohio Legislature is installed in the Rotunda; Perry's Victory has resided in the building ever since
1865: President Abraham Lincoln lay in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on April 29. More than 50,000 mourners pass by his open casket
1867: Governor Rutherford B. Hayes begins the important tradition of having an official portrait made of all the state's Governors. All the Ohio Governors' portraits continue to reside in the Ohio Statehouse.
1880: Early telephone communications begin with service to the House Chamber.
1880: George Washington Williams serves in the Ohio House of Representatives and is the state's first African-American legislator.
1888: The state places electric lights in the Supreme Court room in the Statehouse and the entire building is wired for electricity by 1892.
1912: More than 5,000 Ohio women march for suffrage at the Ohio Statehouse. Seven years later, Ohio votes in favor of the 19th amendment.
1922: The first women state senators, Nettie Longhead and Maude C. Waitt, and the first women state representatives, Nettie MacKenzie Clapp, Lulu T. Gleason, May Van Wyn and Adelaide Sterling Ott, are elected.
1960: Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate sessions are televised for the first time.
1964: Construction on the Ohio Statehouse underground parking garage completed.
1989: Restoration of the Ohio Statehouse begins.
1996: Restoration of the Ohio Statehouse deemed complete.
2009: Ohio Statehouse Museum opens to the public on June 9.
2011: Ohio Statehouse celebrates its 150th anniversary.[[In-content Ad]]