Foundations of Statehood (6:05 minutes)

The 1787 Northwest Ordinance, written by Nathan Dane, was the first major antislavery legislation in American history.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum features a documentary series of videos highlighting the national significance of the Ohio Constitution — from its critical role in the slavery abolition movement to how it set a national model for the funding of public education.

Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse Museum may view the films in the central exhibit area where pages of the historic documents are on display.

The videos are also available online to watch before and after your Capitol visit.