Ohio’s Statehouse, often called “The People’s House,” celebrates its sesquicentennial this year with a full calendar of exhibits, re-enactments, lectures, and other events for all ages.
The Greek Revival structure, located at the corner of High and Broad Streets in Columbus, is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of the United States’ early history. Begun in 1838 and completed in 1861, it took twenty-two years to complete. It was the site of an historic visit by Abraham Lincoln, who addressed the 54th Ohio General Assembly on February 13, 1861, while en route to his first inauguration.
Renowned historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will conduct a free interactive program in the Ohio Statehouse Museum Gallery from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. The event will be livestreamed to classrooms all around the state via www.OhioChannel.org. Goodwin will also speak at a $150 per person dinner that evening in the Statehouse Atrium (ticket information at www.capitolsquarefoundation.org).
Another free anniversary event will take place on the Statehouse grounds on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the Ohio National Guard kicks off an encampment and ceremony to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Ohio unit to be mustered into service for the Civil War.
Other planned events throughout the year (many of which are free) include a replica of President Lincoln’s casket on the site in the rotunda where the slain leader lay in state in 1865, a May 6-7 Civil War encampment, and an old-time baseball game and outdoor movie on the Statehouse grounds July 22.
A full schedule of events is available on the Ohio Statehouse website (http://www.ohiostatehouse.org).
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