Ohio Statehouse

Ohio Statehouse The Ohio Statehouse has housed state government since 1857. This magnificent Greek Revival structure was started in 1839 and completed in 1861.
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As a legislative government agency of the State of Ohio, the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety, and convenience of those who work in and visit the complex. The mission of the CSRAB is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the hist

orical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex, and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. As the administrator of all Ohio Statehouse social media platform sites, the CSRAB has established the following posting guidelines for all Ohio Statehouse and CSRAB branded social media platform sites:

Ohio Statehouse and CSRAB social media sites are limited public forums and are intended to serve first and foremost as informational resources to the public. The CSRAB welcomes public comments on its social media pages; however, user-generated comments must adhere to this policy and are subject to monitoring. Comments may be rejected or removed (if possible) when the content:

• is off-subject or out of context
• contains slanderous, libelous, malicious, vulgar, abusive, or profane language
• is threatening, harassing, or discriminatory and/or promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation
• contains obscenity or sexually explicit material
• incites or promotes violence
• contains information that reasonably could compromise the safety or security of any individual, the public, or public systems
• encourages illegal activity
• promotes or opposes any political party, political campaign, candidate, ballot proposition, or active legislative action
• contains personal identifying information or sensitive personal information such as an address, phone number, or social security number
• advertises or promotes a commercial product or service, or any entity or individual
• contains spam, duplicative posts, or promotional announcements
• breaches any law, confidentiality, or copyright

The content posted by others to the Ohio Statehouse’s social media channels does not necessarily reflect the opinions and positions of the CSRAB, the Ohio Statehouse, or their employees. Questions concerning the online moderation of these channels can be directed to [email protected] or 614-752-7777. Thank you for your cooperation.

Get ready for a week of special tours at the Ohio Statehouse! As part of the statewide Ohio Open Doors initiative, we're...
09/04/2026

Get ready for a week of special tours at the Ohio Statehouse!

As part of the statewide Ohio Open Doors initiative, we're pleased to offer a different and exciting tour each day for history buffs or for those just looking to learn something new about our state.

These special, free tours will be offered once per day beginning Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18.

See you at The People's House!

  When Ohio’s government moved to Columbus in 1816, three buildings were constructed on Capitol Square, all along High S...
09/03/2026

When Ohio’s government moved to Columbus in 1816, three buildings were constructed on Capitol Square, all along High Street.

On the corner of State and High, a federal-style Statehouse was built for the legislature. The center building housed state offices as well as the State Library. The third building was designed with a dome and was used by the Supreme Court.

The buildings were known as “Rat Row” in the press. The 1816 capitol burned down in 1852 while the current Statehouse was under construction. The last building standing on “Rat Row” was the state office building (pictured in front of the Statehouse). When this picture was taken before the state office building was demolished in 1857, state business had already moved into the current Statehouse. The cupola for the current Statehouse was unfinished at the time of this photograph, but it was completed by 1859.

Always have the Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio flag close to your heart with a tie that is full of Ohio pride! Different c...
09/02/2026

Always have the Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio flag close to your heart with a tie that is full of Ohio pride!

Different color and style options are available for the tie enthusiast in your life. Whether for back to school, back to work, or a special event, the right tie can bring your (or a loved one's) look together.

Purchase your favorite from the Ohio Statehouse Museum Shop.

It might be called The People's House but outside is also the "Pollinator's House"!Here at the Ohio Statehouse, pollinat...
09/01/2026

It might be called The People's House but outside is also the "Pollinator's House"!

Here at the Ohio Statehouse, pollinators are busy with late summer blooms. After you explore all of the exhibits and history indoors, head outside for some fresh air. You can sit in a shady spot and watch as insects work hard all around.

08/31/2026

All this month, for the 28th Anniversary of the Ohio Veterans Plaza at the Ohio Statehouse, ODVS, in partnership with the Capitol Square Review, has been revealing the names of the service members who wrote the 70 letters inscribed along two walls at each end of the plaza.

Today we conclude with the letter written by David A. Given, from Columbus, OH, who fought in Vietnam.

To My Journal:

The terrain here is beautiful. The ocean is right close, spacious rice paddies, towering mountain ranges and green jungle. The sunsets and sunrises are a work of art by God's hand. Even though the enemy is near, there is a very peaceful feeling here. Yesterday on recon we walked through part of a hamlet I'd not been in before. It was like Alice's Wonderland: Villagers in rice paddies planting shoots, irrigating, some cutting and bundling new rice shoots to be transported to the watery paddies. A section of paddy was set aside to grow purple orchids that were beautiful. In the trees, the trails were like walking through a fantasy forest.

D.A.G.

A detailed exhibit at the Ohio Statehouse features Specialist Edward Arthur, who served as an aerial observer, gunner, a...
08/31/2026

A detailed exhibit at the Ohio Statehouse features Specialist Edward Arthur, who served as an aerial observer, gunner, and tunneler in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His courage and service were recognized by the the Ohio Military Hall of Fame in 2001. Visit the Ohio Statehouse today to learn more about an Ohioan's role in this conflict.

Thanks to Motts Military Museum, Inc for the display honoring Ed and his service to our country.

A brown thrasher was seen at the Ohio Statehouse. These birds can imitate other birds and sing the most songs of any bir...
08/29/2026

A brown thrasher was seen at the Ohio Statehouse. These birds can imitate other birds and sing the most songs of any bird, more than 1000 tunes. Both males and females incubate eggs in the nest.

On Third Street in downtown Columbus, walk up to the walls on Veterans Plaza.  The letters really show what it's like fo...
08/28/2026

On Third Street in downtown Columbus, walk up to the walls on Veterans Plaza. The letters really show what it's like for those in the military.

This month, for the 28th Anniversary of the Ohio Veterans Plaza at the Ohio Statehouse, ODVS in partnership with the Capitol Square Review, continues to reveal the names of the service members who wrote the 70 letters inscribed along two walls at each end of the plaza.

Today we feature the letter written by Joseph Foust, from Akron, OH, who fought in Italy during World War II.

A Memory:

Here in Italy, vino is ten cents a quart and since it's pure we find it's a nice substitute for vasser. I hear some Canadian soldiers using a few curse words I haven’t ever heard before complaining about the cold rain and mud of CorsicaI. I see skinny cows pulling crude wooden plows over rich black earth. I look skyward and I can see houses hanging from the mountain like picture slides. When I enter a town, a flock of unwashed children pull at my coat and beg for gum. Then it's off to midnight mass. A prayer to the Virgin Mary. "Hail Mary full of grace. Please let me stay alive so I can go home all in one piece. It's a blend of smoky yellow candles, floating garlic aroma and a few "dominus savestal." I watch pilots playing poker with the sky as the limit. Money is of little importancew hen you realize that when tomorrow dawns there is the possibility you will not be around to spend it.

Joe

The Liberty Bell at the Ohio Statehouse is one of 55 replicas cast in 1950. The U.S. Treasury Department gave one to eac...
08/28/2026

The Liberty Bell at the Ohio Statehouse is one of 55 replicas cast in 1950. The U.S. Treasury Department gave one to each state as a reminder of the U.S. Savings Bond Program: “Save for your Independence.” The Statehouse frequently has visitors who plan to visit every one of the replica bells.

Address

1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH
43215

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

(614) 752-9777

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