Press Release:
A new Ohio Statehouse Museum will open to the public on June 10 at 10 a.m. The Museum will be located on the ground floor of Ohio’s Capitol Building and will function as an interactive place for learning about Ohio government for more than 80,000 Ohio Statehouse tour visitors annually. The opening of the Ohio Statehouse Museum will enrich the experience of Statehouse visitors by providing stronger and more diverse orientation and education about Ohio government and history. Admission to the Ohio Statehouse Museum will be free.
The opening celebration is scheduled to begin with a short ribbon cutting ceremony on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. The celebration will be preceded and followed by a cannon firing of the Ohio Statehouse’s Civil War era cannons by members of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A Civil War re-enactors group.
The Ohio Statehouse Museum will include interactive, hands-on exhibits that will challenge visitors’ knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government and equip them to more fully participate as citizens. Historical artifacts and images will tell the stories of those who have come to serve at the “People’s House.” Audiovisual media and theatrical effects will transport visitors to historical events and invite them to imagine themselves as one of Ohio’s governors or legislators.
The opening of Phase II of the Ohio Statehouse Museum will create nearly 10,000 square feet of updated, high-tech, interactive exhibits to enrich the experience of school children and visitors.
Funding of the Ohio Statehouse Museum is the result of a public/private partnership. The Museum has primarily been made possible by private contributors through an on-going capital campaign entitled “Enriching the Experience.” The capital campaign is being managed by the Capitol Square Foundation. The Capitol Square Foundation has raised more than $2.25 million for the Enriching the Experience capital campaign.
Construction of the new Ohio Statehouse Museum officially began on March 18, 2008. Hilferty and Associates, an accomplished design firm based in Athens, Ohio, completed the interpretive conceptual plan for the new Ohio Statehouse Museum. Mill’s James, Ohio’s largest media production company, is providing the audiovisual production services. 1220 Exhibits, of Nashville, Tennessee, is manufacturing the exhibits and display panels. Communications Electronic Design, Inc. is the project systems integrator. Exhibit resources have been provided by the Ohio Historical Society and the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.
For more information please visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.