STATEHOUSE NEWS

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If you love Ohio history and are passionate about sharing it with others, the Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center is looking to recruit new volunteers to serve as tour guides! Volunteers are essential to providing tours of the Ohio Statehouse, which hosts more than 70,000 visitors each year.

The Ohio Statehouse provides multiple tours daily, except on state holidays, for both the public and for pre-booked groups like schools. Volunteers interact with people of all ages and from around the world!

"Our volunteer guides do such an important job by bringing history life and making a tour a fun experience for visitors of all ages,” said Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. “Their dedication to being stewards of Ohio history is what this program is all about.”

The Ohio Statehouse Museum and Education Center will provide tour training for volunteers. The training includes the history of Ohio and the capitol as well as the inner workings of the legislative process. Volunteer guides must have a variety of skills including taking charge of a group, being a good speaker, and feeling comfortable with people of all ages and backgrounds.

There are benefits to being a volunteer! Volunteers are provided free, on-site parking as well as discounts at the Statehouse Museum Shop, invitations to special events, continuing education and more.

Those looking to be a volunteer tour guide can find the application form online at OhioStatehouse.org. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and will be required to pass a security background check.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

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In honor of the life and service of Sgt. Scott Ries of the Rittman Police Department, 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 Wayne County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of Sgt. Ries’ funeral.

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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COLUMBUS, Ohio -Take your tastebuds back in time to the American Revolution with a special event being held at the Ohio Statehouse this fall. ‘A Taste of 1776’ is a food experience, featuring Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar, to bring the dishes of the past to the present.

“As a National Historic Landmark, the Ohio Statehouse is the perfect setting for this food experience,” said Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) Executive Director, Megan Wycuff. “This is a new venture our agency wanted to take on to celebrate America 250 and to find new ways to bring people to Capitol Square and experience everything we have to offer, from the exhibits and tours, and so much more.”

‘A Taste of 1776’ will be held at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium on Thursday, September 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A variety of food stations will be set up with themes like Bread & Board Exchange, Smokehouse & Skillet, and Hearth Table. A full menu will be announced at a later date.

“This is the kind of event that allows us to tell a story through food. Guests will have the chance to experience familiar ingredients in new ways while learning about the culinary traditions that shaped early America,” said Carly Slattery, Events & Catering Manager at Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar. “We're honored to partner with the Ohio Statehouse and help celebrate this important chapter of our nation's history.”

Along with the food stations, there will be a variety of educational offerings presented by CSRAB’s Museum and Education team, as well as entertainment, such as dancing and reenactors.

Ticket prices are $35 per person or $60 for two people and can be purchased online at statehouseshop.com.This is a 21-and-up event. There will be a cash bar with 1776 inspired drinks.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Phone: 614-728-2130

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The Ohio Statehouse is proud to host the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Geological Survey for Statehouse Fossil Fest on Thursday, June 25 with a day of fun dedicated to fossils! The program is free and open to all ages.

Statehouse Fossil Fest will feature hands-on activities in the Statehouse Atrium from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by a guided fossil tour of the Statehouse and grounds from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is presented in cooperation with the Orton Geological Museum, the Karl E. Limper Geological Museum, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the State Library of Ohio.

The Ohio Statehouse provides a unique setting for fossil exploration. Much of the building is constructed from Columbus Limestone that has preserved a variety of marine fossils, including corals, sponges, shells, and trilobites.

This free, public event is part of ODNR’s Earth Science Summer event series, created to engage residents in the state’s geologic heritage. Statehouse Fossil Fest is also a way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s 2026 theme, “Unearth a Story.”

Registration is not required, however RSVPs are encouraged! You can RSVP by using this form.

Members of the public can find full event details for Statehouse Fossil Fest and other Earth Science Summer events at ohiodnr.gov/earthsciencesummer.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
E-mail: Karina.Cheung@Ohiostatehouse.org
Phone: 614-728-2130
or
Molly E. Hunt, ODNR Division of Geological Survey
E-Mail: Molly.Hunt@dnr.ohio.gov
Direct Line: 614-265-6595

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In honor of the life and service of Lorain County Administrator and former State Senator Jeff Armbruster, 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 Lorain County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, June 7, 2026.
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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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Grab your sketch pad and your yoga mat for an exciting 'Sketch and Stretch’ series happening at the Ohio Statehouse this June! For three Thursdays during the month, visitors are invited to spend an evening of free yoga and sketching sessions.

“This is a new opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the historic, 10-acre green space at the Ohio Statehouse and to host people interested in both art and fitness,” said Megan Wycuff, Executive Director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. “We invite people of all experience levels to come out and have a good time!”

'Sketch and Stretch' will take place at the West Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse June 4, 11, and 25. During each event, there will be two sessions scheduled for yoga and two sessions of sketching. Visitors are invited to participate in both offerings!

Yaizmen Fayne of RawYoga614 will lead classes through the stretch sessions. People of all ages and experience levels are invited. Attendees are asked to bring their own yoga mats. For the sketch sessions, local artist Brian R. Williams will mentor guests as they sketch the Ohio Statehouse. Art supplies will be available.

'Sketch and Stretch’ will be held on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, June 4
  
  
  
  • Sketch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Stretch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Thursday, June 11
  
  
  
  • Sketch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Stretch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Thursday, June 25
  
  
  
  • Sketch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Stretch Sessions
    
    
    
    • Session 1 - 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
    
    
    • Session 2 - 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Please note this is an outdoor event. In case of rain or poor weather, 'Sketch and Stretch’ will take place inside the building.

The mission of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board is to facilitate the operation of state government, preserve the historical integrity of the Capitol Square Complex and educate visitors about the history of Ohio and civics. For more information, visit OhioStatehouse.org.

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For more information, contact:
Karina Cheung, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board
Email: Karina.Cheung@Ohiostatehouse.org
Phone: 614-728-2130

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In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio from 12:01 a.m. until noon on May 25, 2026.

The Ohio Statehouse is closed on May 25 for Memorial Day.

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In honoring Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio on May 15, 2026. Older Posts