STATEHOUSE NEWS

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Please be informed that a Civil War-era cannon will be fired from the West Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse Tuesday, September 26, 2023. This will be done as part of the vintage base ball game. The event is free and open to the public. The Paddy Wagon food truck will be at the corner of High Street and State Street at 5:30 p.m.

Civil War cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled to take place in the evening between 5:25 and 8 p.m. The Statehouse cannon may fire a maximum of three times during the event.

As these sounds can be startling, we wish to give advance notice to everyone working on and near Capitol Square. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Rupert at 614-728-4185.

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Columbus, OH– On Tuesday, September 26, the Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds will face off against the Capitol Cannons, state senators and representatives, in an old-fashioned game of “base ball.” The match will go from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Statehouse’s West Lawn, and it is free and open to the public.

Before and after the two teams square off to win the Richard Schuricht Memorial Cup, the Statehouse’s 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon firing demonstrations. History displays and concessions will also be available to the public.

This exhibition game includes rules and regulations from the 1860s that Abe Lincoln himself witnessed, so some of them might appear unusual. There are a few major differences between “base ball” and baseball that the audience should be aware of:

· The ball is pitched underhand from anywhere behind the pitcher’s line.
· If a ball is hit and caught on a bounce, it is an out.
· Base runners may not steal nor slide foot-first.

Come watch the seven-inning affair, enjoy an outdoor meal and witness cannon firings all in one night. Food and beverages will be available from the Paddy Wagon food truck and Milo’s catering.

To view photos of the 2021 “base ball” match, visit Vintage Base Ball 2021.

About the Ohio Village Muffins and Vintage “Base Ball”

Formed in 1981, the Ohio Village Muffins were the first vintage “base ball” team in the United States to play a set schedule of games. They also hosted the initial meeting of the Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA). The uniforms are standard to the 1860s: plain pants, a white shirt with a bright shield containing the team emblem, a vintage cap, a leather belt and a red tie. Recreational activities for men and women, especially “base ball,” were becoming more ingrained in American society during the middle of the 19th century, so the Muffins represent a changing America. They highlight a game that would transcend all others and become America’s favorite pastime.

Support for this public event is provided by the Ohio Lobbying Association, the Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds, and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is proud to announce the addition of a height-adjustable universal changing table at the Ohio Statehouse to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities and those with complex medical conditions through collaborations with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization advocating for accessible restrooms for all.

“People with disabilities who have mobility challenges need access to public venues just like any other group, yet the typical accessible restroom stall does not provide the equipment or the space necessary to meet their needs,” said CSRAB Executive Director Laura Battocletti. “The addition of a universal changing table is an improvement to accessibility that underscores that the Ohio Statehouse truly is ‘the People’s House.’”

Universal changing tables are similar to infant changing tables found in restrooms at restaurants and shopping and entertainment venues, but are designed to accommodate the height and weight of adults. Without these tables, children and adults with disabilities cannot access public venues or must be changed on the ground or in unsafe environments.

The Statehouse’s mobile universal changing table is conveniently located in what is known as the Mother’s Room, a private room off the Map Room on the ground floor. It can accommodate people up to 400 pounds.

The Ohio Statehouse changing table project came about when LMK Advocacy reached out to Changing Spaces Ohio for assistance to create a universal changing station at the Statehouse for the Ohio Association of County Boards’ Developmental Disabilities Advocacy and Awareness Day in March. The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services purchased two mobile universal changing tables and provided them to the Statehouse so adults with disabilities could meet with their elected officials as part of this special event. LMK Advocacy worked with representatives of the Montgomery County Board to find a place for the table, allowing people with disabilities who lived hours away to travel to the Statehouse and take part. Afterwards, the Montgomery County Board and Changing Spaces Ohio worked with Battocletti to identify a universal changing table for permanent installation and provided expertise to ensure that the installation met the specifications of the International Building Code.

“The addition of these tables provides a safe, hygienic, and dignified space for people to address their restroom needs, and we are proud to partner with Director Battocletti and the Ohio Statehouse to make this much-needed accommodation a reality,” said Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent Dr. Pamela Combs.

Since construction of the Ohio Statehouse began in 1839, the State continues to make improvements to enhance accessibility, including the installation of wheelchair charging stations and the provision of assistive listening devices for people with hearing loss. A complete list of accessibility accommodations is available on the Statehouse website.

About the Ohio Statehouse:

The Ohio Statehouse is a working office building that serves as the home of the Ohio Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the offices of the Governor. Opened to legislators and the public in 1857, it is the eighth-oldest working capitol in the nation and has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Ohio Statehouse while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in and visit Capitol Square.

About the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services:

The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services (MCBDDS) is one of 88 county boards in the State of Ohio that advocate for people with developmental disabilities. It provides services, supports and funding to more than 5,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Montgomery County, Ohio, and has led the effort to place universal changing tables in public spaces statewide.

About Changing Spaces:

The Changing Spaces Campaign is a nationwide advocacy movement formed to spread awareness of the need for height-adjustable adult-size changing tables for children and adults in public places. The Ohio Chapter of the organization has made great progress toward the installation of such tables, partnering with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities and collaborating with other organizations to help them select and install tables and lifts throughout Ohio. Changing Spaces Ohio and its nonprofit, Inspired Access Foundation, created a map showing the location of universal changing tables throughout the country.
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Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board media contact:
Mike Rupert
mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org; 614-728-4185

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services media contact:
Janice Saddler Rice
jrice@mcbdds.org; 937-776-0866

Changing Spaces Campaign Ohio media contact:
Jennifer Corcoran
changingspacesoh@gmail.com; 937-307-3509

Photos will be added to the website on Monday and Tuesday this week. https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/accessibility-at-the-ohio-statehouse

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Media Alert/Interview Availability

What: The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will unveil the addition of a height-adjustable universal changing table at the Ohio Statehouse to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities, people with mobility challenges, and those with complex medical conditions.

When: Monday, September 18 at 11 a.m.

Where: The Map Room on the Ground Floor of the Ohio Statehouse,
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215

Why: To ensure that people with disabilities have a clean, hygienic and safe space to address their restroom needs.

To provide people with disabilities and those who have mobility challenges with access the “the People’s House” and their elected officials.

To ensure inclusion for all citizens, elected officials and visitors.

What are universal changing tables? Universal changing tables are similar to infant changing tables
found in restrooms at restaurants and shopping and
entertainment venues, but are designed to accommodate the
height and weight of adults. They can also be used for infants
and children.

Who: This project was a collaboration between CSRAB, the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization advocating for accessible restrooms for all.

Interviews: We invite you to join Ohio Statehouse Director Laura Battocletti, Montgomery County
Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent Pamela Combs, and
Changing Spaces Ohio co-lead Jennifer Corcoran for interviews at 11 a.m.

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Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board media contact:
Mike Rupert; mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org; 614-728-4185

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services media contact:
Janice Saddler Rice; jrice@mcbdds.org; 937-776-0866

Changing Spaces Campaign Ohio media contact:
Jennifer Corcoran; changingspacesoh@gmail.com; 937-307-3509

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In honor of those killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Governor DeWine has ordered that all U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state on Patriot Day.
The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on the 22nd anniversary of the attacks, Monday, September 11, 2023.

At the Ohio Statehouse, view a display of 2977 flags in remembrance of each life lost on 9-11. The flags may be seen until Tuesday, September 12 at noon.

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(Columbus, OH)—The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) are pleased to announce that 81 schools will be awarded Transportation Grants for the 2023-2024 academic year. The online application will open on Monday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18.

The grants will help schools defray bus transportation costs for field trips to the Ohio Statehouse and its museum. Each grant’s amount will be based on one-way mileage from the visiting school to the Ohio Statehouse.

Since the creation of CSF’s program in 2009, more than 75,000 students from all 88 counties in Ohio have visited the Ohio Statehouse through the assistance of these grants. “The Foundation is grateful for the partnership with Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. and their remarkable, continued financial support," said Charles Moses, CSF Chairman. “This program allows students from all over Ohio to learn first-hand how their government works and how they can make a difference.”

27 grants will be awarded in each of three mileage categories:
1 to 50 miles ($200)
51 to 100 miles ($300)
101+ miles ($400)

This year, teachers will have eight days to submit applications. CSRAB will use a random number generator to choose 27 schools from each mileage category.

"The Transportation Grant Program affords Ohio schools a way to visit the Ohio Statehouse," said Laura P. Battocletti, CSRAB Executive Director. “Students who visit the Statehouse have an unforgettable experience of Ohio civics and Ohio history.”

The Transportation Grants will be available to any school in Ohio that receives state funding. Grants are limited to students in the fourth through 12th grades during the 2023-2024 academic year. Only one Transportation Grant will be awarded to each school, regardless of the number of buses or students visiting the Ohio Statehouse. Additionally, schools must have a minimum of 20 students on their field trip in order to be eligible for a grant, and recipients must schedule and attend a guided tour of the Statehouse in order to receive their funds.

Only online applications will be accepted and must be submitted by an authorized teacher or school administrator. Applications will be accepted for eight days, from Sept. 11-18. All grant applicants will be notified of their status on Sept. 20, 2023.

Detailed information about the program is available at: https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/visit/school-and-group-tours/school-bus-transportation-grant-program

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Columbus, OH—On Monday, Sept. 11, tickets for the Ohio Statehouse’s Haunted Tours go on sale. The much-loved yet eerie tours will take place Friday, Oct. 13; Saturday, Oct. 14; Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21 at the state Capitol.

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT MUST BE PRE-ORDERED.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults ages 18 and older and $7 for students ages 12 to 17, plus a $3 processing fee per order. The tours through the darkened halls of the building depart every half hour between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Affordable event parking will be available in the Statehouse Underground Garage for $5 beginning at 6 p.m.


Tickets may be purchased in three ways:
· Online at statehouseshop.com
· In-person at the Statehouse Museum Shop on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse
· Over the phone by calling 614-728-9234

If participants dare to embark on an adventure through the dark chambers and haunted hallways of the Statehouse, they will hear spooky tales from Ohio’s past in a manner that combines history with legend. By lantern, guides will lead visitors through one of the country’s oldest functioning capitol buildings to create a ghostly environment that is most appropriate for ages 12 and older.

Pictures from previous years are available at ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/haunted-tours-photos.

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COLUMBUS, OH –The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will host the “Ohio Statehouse Special Events Vendor Showcase” Monday, Sept. 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature food from the Statehouse’s approved caterers, showcase event designs by our service providers and highlight the Ohio Statehouse as an event/wedding venue. Parking vouchers for the Statehouse garage will be available during the event. This event is free and open to the public.

CSRAB would like to introduce the Ohio Statehouse Special Events team of Angela Glick, Marybeth Pancoast and Taylor Wegman. The showcase is the perfect opportunity to explore the most unique event venue in Ohio while you enjoy all that our approved caterers and service providers have to offer for your next special event.

There are 10 Approved Caterers at the Ohio Statehouse:

-Creative Cuisine
-Emelio's Catering
-Feed Your Soul Catering
-Freedom a la Cart
-L.A. Catering
-MCL Restaurant and Bakery
-Metro Cuisine Catering & Special Events
-Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services
-Steven's Catering
-Together & Company

There are 16 Service Providers at the Ohio Statehouse:

-A Vision of Elegance Event Rentals
-Aiden & Grace Rentals
-Awesome Entertainment
-Bell Tree Productions
-Bolkem Event Rentals
-Borrow Curated
-Event Source
-Got Ya Covered
-Hughie's Audio Visual Service
-ITA Audio Visual Solutions
-L!VE
-Lasting Impressions
-Metro Cuisine
-Mills James
-Prema Designs
-Rent Wedding Chairs

Enjoy an evening of food and fun on Capitol Square—let us make your next event unforgettable.

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