STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, OH) – The Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board (CSRAB) is pleased to announce “Flags of Honor,” a new rotating exhibit at the Ohio Statehouse that commemorates Ohio military service personnel.

Provided in partnership with the Motts Military Museum Inc. of Groveport, Ohio, the exhibit series highlights the service and sacrifice of Ohio’s men and women in uniform.

Located in the south light court of the Capitol, the display features uniforms, equipment, and personal artifacts from Ohio veterans. Also on view are American and Ohio flags that belonged to these service members during their tours of duty.


The first exhibit in the “Flags of Honor” series opens the week of Veterans Day and features Edward I. Arthur of Lancaster, Ohio. Arthur served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, B and D Troops during the Vietnam War in 1966, 1967, and 1970. He earned two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with Valor and five Air Medals, one with a “V” device.

Arthur’s Air Medal with “V” Device citation reads:

“Specialist Four Edward Arthur distinguished himself by heroism in action on 11 May 1967, while serving as an aerial observer and gunner with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry during a combat aerial reconnaissance mission near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. When his observation helicopter flew over a large force of heavily armed Viet Cong and began to receive intense automatic weapons fire, Specialist Arthur immediately returned the fire and denied the enemy access to a heavily fortified area. When armed helicopters arrived on station, Specialist Arthur, with complete disregard for his own safety, dropped smoke grenades to mark the location of the fleeing enemy. As a result of his effective fire on the enemy and his identification of their positions, 32 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army soldiers were killed and 11 weapons, a radio, and numerous documents and medical supplies were captured. Specialist Arthur’s personal bravery and devotion to duty under intense hostile fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” -The Ohio Military Hall of Fame

Born in Columbus in 1935, Arthur began his military career at age 13 with the Ohio National Guard. He later served with CIA forces in Cuba and rejoined the U.S. Army multiple times, including service during the Vietnam War. Following his military career, Arthur worked in law enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the FBI. He passed away in 2015.

The free exhibit featuring artifacts from the Motts Military Museum Inc. collection is on display in the south light court from Nov. 10, 2025 through July 31, 2026.

The Ohio Statehouse is open for visitors daily, except on state holidays. It will be closed on Veterans Day.

In addition to the “Flags of Honor” exhibit, the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square grounds feature numerous tributes to military service. Veterans Plaza, located along Third Street, will display 88 Ohio flags flying in observance of Veterans Day. Two granite walls feature excerpts from letters written by Ohioans during wartime, spanning from World War II to the first Gulf War.
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Contact:
Mike Rupert, Communications Manager
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-728-4185 ¦ mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org ¦ ohiostatehouse.org

Warren Motts, Founding Director
Motts Military Museum Inc.
5075 S. Hamilton Road
Groveport, Ohio 43125
614-836-1500 ¦ info@mottsmilitarymuseum.org ¦ mottsmilitarymuseuminc.com

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In honor of the life and service of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio, and will remain until sunset on the day of his funeral.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) —In honor of the life and service of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Mahoning County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower today, and will remain until sunset on the day of his funeral.

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(Columbus, OH)- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is excited to announce that for the first time ever they will host free Trick-or-Treat Tours from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and free Spooky Statehouse Tours from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Halloween Day, Friday, Oct. 31.

The free Trick-or-Treat Tours offer children the opportunity to explore the Ohio Statehouse in costume while listening to age-appropriate facts about the building and its different functions. On the various stops the guided tour will take, the children will receive a treat. Costumes are encouraged, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.


The Spooky Statehouse tours are guided tours filled with spooky stories about the Ohio Statehouse. Learn more about the building while hearing about ghostly tales, strange occurrences and eerie experiences from the past. Intertwining history and hauntings, this will be a tour you don’t want to miss! This free experience is recommended for teenagers and adults.


The tours will start in the Museum Gallery on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. RSVP to tours@ohiostatehouse.org by Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Please note all visitors will have to go through security, so any weapons as part of costumes will be confiscated.


The Statehouse will still offer standard guided tours starting in the Map Room, on the hour, every hour, starting at 10 a.m. with the last tour starting at 3 p.m.


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(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The business meeting will be held in the State Room (room #108) and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is open to the public.

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The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate National Fossil Day on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, by offering a FREE fossil tour on Capitol Square. The special tour will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15 from noon until 1:30 p.m. Expert geologists will explore the limestone walls, stairs and columns that support the Ohio Statehouse. This fossil tour is a unique opportunity for anyone fascinated by geology and natural history.

The tour will be conducted by Dale M. Gnidovic, Curator of the OSU Orton Geological Museum and Mark Peter, Paleontologist at ODNR Division of Geological Survey.

While the event is free and public, participants are asked to RSVP to tours@ohiostatehouse.org at least two weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more.

National Fossil Day is an annual celebration of geology. It occurs during Earth Science Week, which is Oct. 12-18 this year. These celebrations encourage young people to explore careers in earth science and engage everyone in the importance of our resources and environment.

The Statehouse Museum Shop has gemstones, fossils and fossil related items available for purchase. They will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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In honor of the life and service of former U.S. Representative Mary Rose Oakar, Ohio Governor DeWine has ordered that the flags shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Cuyahoga County as well as the Ohio Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of her funeral, September 20, 2025.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

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The Ohio Statehouse is excited to kick off National Arts and Humanities Month with Leslie Adams talk “People, Stories, and Art: A Portrait of My Life and Work” on Wednesday, October 1 from noon until 1:00 p.m. in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.

Join artist Leslie Adams as she reveals the inspiration behind her portraits displayed at the Ohio Statehouse, contrasting the depiction of those and other distinguished leaders with the introspective nature of her monumental self-portraits. Experience her artistic journey—from her childhood at the Toledo Museum of Art to the influences shaping her work today—and discover the techniques that bring her portraits to life.

Adams is an internationally known artists, known for her figurative art and portraiture. Her work is featured on the walls of the Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio Supreme Court through her portraits of multiple Ohio civic leaders.

The event is free and open to the public. For groups of 10 or more, please email tours@ohiostatehouse.org at least two weeks in advance. Older Posts