STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, OH)- The Ohio Statehouse is excited to celebrate Women’s History Month with free and public events in the Atrium the last three Tuesdays in March from noon to 1 p.m.! Join us as we welcome our three presenters.

March 11: The History of Women’s Basketball in Columbus, presented by the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Columbus has a storied history with women’s basketball, from its earliest days to the brief tenure of the Columbus Quest. Join Local History & Genealogy Librarian Megan Sheeran as she shares the triumphs and heartbreaks of the girls and women who fought to play the game.

March 18: Florence Harding: First Lady of Consequence, presented by Sherry Hall from the Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites.
Florence Kling Harding took part in the first U.S. presidential election where women could vote. As First Lady, she transformed the White House into a platform for showcasing talented women—scientists, athletes, musicians, journalists and artists. Intelligent, politically astute and endlessly curious, Mrs. Harding’s complex story reveals how a small-town Ohio girl left her mark on the nation's most famous residence.

March 25th: People, Stories, and Art: A Portrait of My Life and Work, presented by artist, Leslie Adams.
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.


All three events are free and open to the public and are planned to be video recorded on OhioChannel.org. They are 45-minute-long events, with an additional 15 minutes for Q&A.

No reservations are required, but if you have a group larger than 10 and would like to attend, please contact Ariana Glaser at 614-728-3726 or ariana.glaser@ohiostatehouse.org.

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Due to History Day student projects, guided tours of the Statehouse will not be available on Saturday, March 8. Some areas of the building will not be available to the public.

Due to to the State of the State address and other building events, guided tours of the Statehouse will not be available on Wednesday, March 12.

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(Columbus, Ohio) The Eyes of Freedom – Lima Company Memorial exhibit will be on view to the public in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda from March 10 until March 25. This traveling tribute depicts the fallen of Columbus Ohio-based Lima Company 3/25, one of the most heavily engaged and hardest hit units of US combat operations in the middle east. These 23 life-size portraits are displayed in communities across the nation, rallying those who attend honoring the service and sacrifice of all those who answer our nation’s call.

"As the 20th anniversary of the loss of the men of Lima Co approaches, we are grateful to honor them once again at the Ohio Statehouse, where we first unveiled the portraits in 2008,” said Anita Miller, the artist and creator of the exhibit, “The stories of their lives are still being told through the Eyes of Freedom.”

Over the years the Eyes of Freedom mission has grown to include the fight against Veteran suicide and post-traumatic stress issues.

In 2018, artist/creator Anita Miller completed an addition to the exhibit. A central bronze sculpture entitled “Silent Battle” depicts a service member sitting in solitude after a combat mission, looking at the dog tags and mourning the loss of a fallen comrade. Although we will always proudly honor ALL military service and those who sacrifice for our freedoms, the addition of the bronze sculpture brought the mental health portion of our mission to center stage. The Eyes of Freedom strives to connect struggling Veterans with resources, partner organizations, and other struggling Veterans to unite in the battle against the hidden wounds of war.

“We invite everyone to come, honor and remember Lima Company’s sacrifices and their gift of service. Help us show their families and the world that we will not forget them or the gift they gave,” said Sean Flaharty, Eyes of Freedom Director of Operations, "Artist Anita Miller created the Eyes of Freedom and Silent Battle to honor and remember Lima Company and to recognize service and sacrifice of all who have served. We welcome everyone to come and see the power of the Eyes of Freedom and to learn the history and accomplishments of a dynamic company of service members”

The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial was created as a result of Anita Miller’s vision, in which she saw the finished memorial and felt she was being asked to create it. With the help of the families of the fallen and the returned Marines of L3/25, the work was created and unveiled in the Ohio State House Rotunda in 2008, as the vision foretold.

Although the paintings in this Memorial specifically depict the 23 fallen Marines from Lima 3/25, it has become much more; The Eyes of Freedom honors all who have answered the call to service. Behind each portrait we feel the honor and sacrifice of the thousands of men and women who have served our country, in every branch of the armed forces.

About the Eyes of Freedom Organization

Eyes of Freedom is a nonprofit organization centered in Columbus, Ohio. Its purpose is to display the artwork exhibit as a memorial to military sacrifice.

The Eyes of Freedom Memorial’s exclusive transportation provider is R+L Carriers, Inc. based in Wilmington, Ohio. R+L is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service through a network of more than 100 service centers in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

For more images and more information about The Eyes on Freedom: Lima Company Memorial exhibit, visit www.EyesOfFreedom.org.

To view this press release and others, visit ohiostatehouse.org.

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The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial Contact:
Sean Flaharty: 614-218-6087
Director of Operations, Eyes of Freedom
rememberlima@gmail.com
EyesofFreedom.org
BACKGROUND VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3zSzY9K1U

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The southwest elevator leading to and from the parking garage sliding doors will be closed for painting Thursday and Friday, February 27-28, 2025.

Those who require elevator access may use the northwest elevator near the revolving doors to and from the parking garage. Visitors in the garage without ID badges may use the intercom to call the Ohio State Highway Patrol for security check and entrance to the Ohio Statehouse.

If you have questions, please contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board office at 614-752-9777.


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(Columbus, Ohio)- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation announce the 2025 Great Ohioan Award recipients. The Capitol Square Foundation presented the selected individuals from nominations submitted by citizens and organizations across Ohio.

The 2025 Great Ohioan awardees are legendary movie stars Dorothy Dandridge, Clark Gable and Paul Newman.

Dorothy Dandridge was an actress, singer and dancer, born on November 9, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio. Notable for her work in the 1945 film musical "Carmen Jones," she became the first African American to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Dandridge continued to break barriers as the first Black woman featured on Life magazine’s cover, and the first Black performer to headline the Waldorf-Astoria’s prestigious Empire Room in 1955.

Clark Gable was born in Cadiz, Ohio on February 1, 1901. After landing a role in "The Painted Desert," MGM offered him a contract where he went on to star in "Dance, Fools, Dance" and eventually win an Academy Award for "It Happened One Night". Known for his charm and charisma, he quickly became one of the largest names in Hollywood after appearing in many films in Hollywood’s Golden Age. During World War II, he served as a pilot in the Air Force, where he achieved the rank of major.

Paul Newman was an actor, philanthropist and film director raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio. After serving in the Navy, Newman attended Kenyon College and played football before majoring in theatre. After beginning a family, Newman found success on television and film. He went on to win multiple Academy Award nominations, and one Academy award for "The Color of Money." He later began his own food company that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for charity, and was a race car driving enthusiast.

“Ohio has an extensive list of incredible film and television stars,” said Capitol Square Foundation Chairman Charles Moses. “Ohio’s contribution to the arts should be appreciated, and we are proud to recognize these three Ohioans for their work.”

The movie stars were recommended by Molly P. Kreuzman. She is the Program Director of Ohio Goes to the Movies, a 2026 signature event of the America 250-Ohio Commission. To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday next year, movies will be presented in all 88 counties to celebrate Ohio’s actors, directors, writers, composers, animators and more.

The award's selection criteria rely on whether the nominee was born in Ohio or lived in Ohio for at least five years and whether the commemorated event the nominee participated in took place 25 years ago.

“The Ohio Statehouse is excited to add three stars to the Great Ohioans exhibit,” said Phil Miller, CSRAB Assistant Director, “We welcome visitors to learn about these and all the Great Ohioans who made an impact in people’s lives.”

There have been 62 Great Ohioans previously recognized for this award for their essential contributions to history, ranging from politicians, astronauts, healthcare pioneers, writers, athletes, abolitionists and more. To learn about the other awardees, visit our website.

Great Ohioans Exhibit
The Ohio Statehouse Museum exhibit allows visitors better to understand the recipients of the Great Ohioan Award and discover how they affected local, national, and world history. The exhibit uses videos, photos, facts and web-based technology to explore the life and legacy of each Great Ohioan. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open every day of the week except on state holidays.

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Contacts:
Mike Rupert
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-745-6949 ¦ mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org ¦ ohiostatehouse.org

Charles Moses
Capitol Square Foundation
614-221-5825 ¦ csf@assnoffices.com ¦ capitolsquarefoundation.org

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(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The business meeting will be held in the Robert E. Netzley Conference Room (room #004) and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda is available upon request.

Contact:
Phil Miller, Interim Assistant Director
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614-752-9777 ¦ phil.miller@ohiostatehouse.org ¦ ohiostatehouse.org

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All walk-in tours will be canceled on Friday Feb. 14. They will resume Saturday, Feb. 15 from noon - 3 p.m.

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(Columbus, OH)- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will celebrate Black History Month with four 60-minute programs. These programs will be presented every Tuesday, starting on February 4 and ending on February 25, in the Statehouse Atrium at noon. Melvin Barnes with Ohio Humanities will introduce the documentary “The Lincoln School Story;” storyteller and poet Lyn Ford will share works created by African American narrative artists while discussing her own Black Appalachian heritage; Columbus Metropolitan Library will talk about the Columbus, Black-owned newspaper Call & Post; and the National Park Services will give a presentation on Brigadier General Charles Young, the first African American national park superintendent.

All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but groups and schools should save their seats by calling Ariana Glaser at 614-728-3726.


Scheduled noon presentations include:

Feb. 4 - “The Lincoln School Story” with Melvin Barnes of Ohio Humanities
“The Lincoln School Story” is a short film that highlights the fight of African American mothers in Hillsboro, Ohio for school integration in 1954 following the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Despite facing severe backlash, they persisted in one of the longest civil rights protests in American history. After the screening, Dr. Melvin Barnes Jr. will lead a Q&A session to discuss the impact of their struggle.

Feb. 11 - FROM THE HEART, SO MUCH TO DISCOVER: The Heritage of Ohio's Black Voices presented by Lyn Ford
There are many lesser-known treasures of stories and poetry developed by African American narrative artists in the past and contemporary literary arts. Storyteller and poet Lyn Ford will recognize and honor a few of them as she shares from her research, her poetry, and her own Black Appalachian heritage.

Feb. 18 - The History of the Columbus Call & Post presented by the Columbus Metropolitan Library
Join us as we explore the King Arts Complex Collection’s photos from the Columbus Call & Post, an African American newspaper published from 1962 to 1990 by the late publisher, Amos Lynch.

Feb. 25 - Life and Legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young presented by the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
Join a National Parks Ranger for a presentation on the life and legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young. Young was a trailblazer who became the first African American national park superintendent, Colonel in the U.S. Army and military attaché. He also served as a mentor to many, including students at Wilberforce University and future Army leaders like Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

Each program will be live-streamed and recorded by OhioChannel.org.
Located on the ground floor, the Capitol Café will be open 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., and the Statehouse Museum Shop will be open Feb. 18 and 25.

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