STATEHOUSE NEWS

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Columbus, OH–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” on Tuesday, May 12. The match will go from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Ohio Statehouse West Lawn.

A blast from the 1864 cannon will start the event with help from the Statehouse’s 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available from Momma’s Burger Bites food truck.

This exhibition game involves rules and regulations from the 1860s, so some of them might appear unconventional. 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.

Experience the entertaining seven-inning affair, enjoy an outdoor meal and witness cannon firings all in one night.

To view photos of the 2024 “base ball” match, visit Vintage Base Ball 2024.

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 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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In honor of the life and service of former State Senator James Carnes, 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 Belmont County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, May 4, 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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Please be informed that the canon firings have been canceled at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Due to rain, the cannon firings will not take place.

The public is invited inside the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda and Atrium for the annual commemoration of the Repose of Lincoln with historical reenactors from 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.

The day’s activities, without cannon firings, include Civil War reenactors, music, a video and a replica of Lincoln’s coffin on display in the Rotunda. The public is encouraged to join! Please visit OhioStatehouse.org for more details.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In honor of the life and service of former Ohio House of Representatives member William ‘Bill’ Patmon, 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 Cuyahoga County as well as at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, April 21, 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, OH) –The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will commemorate the Repose of President Abraham Lincoln in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on Tuesday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This day marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when around 50,000 mourners passed by Lincoln’s coffin in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse.


The day will include Civil War reenactors, a historic 36-star flag, artifacts, cannon firings, videos, music and a replica coffin. The event is free, and the public is encouraged to join!


On the front lawn of the Statehouse, Civil War medical displays and an Artillery camp will be set up for guests to see. Visitors can meet James A. Garfield, Spy Pauline Cushman and other reenactors from the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, Camp Delaware and the 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B. Additionally, the Ladies Aid Society will host a tent with interactive activities while the Ohio Statehouse cannons fire on the hour to entertain spectators. Guests will enjoy historical music from the Song Sparrow, Diane Virostko and Steve Ball.


The Statehouse Rotunda will host a replica of President Lincoln’s coffin along with a historic 36-star flag. The flag flew over Capitol Square during the Repose of President Lincoln on April 29, 1865.


A video presentation about the 5th U.S. Colored Troops who mustered into the Union Army at Camp Delaware will be shown in the Governor Thomas Worthington Center courtesy of Community Arts Network.

The Statehouse Museum Shop, on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse, offers copies of Lincoln’s Gettysburg and Second Inaugural Addresses, small statues of President Lincoln and Lincoln’s hat and a beard attachment. Mini cannons, replica Civil War firearms, and other Civil War memorabilia are also available.


The Capitol Café will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for visitors to grab food and beverages.


Contact mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org for more information. For details about indoor Statehouse tours, please email tours@ohiostatehouse.org.

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(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Thursday, April 23, 2026 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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In celebration of America 250-Ohio, the Ohio Statehouse will come alive with an American Revolutionary war encampment where visitors can step back in time to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a late 18th-century military camp through music, historical reenactors and authentic demonstrations!

Participating historical groups include:
Captain Joseph Ogle’s Company of the Ohio County Virginia Militia
Heritage Fife and Drums
8th Pennsylvania Regiment
Citizens of the Ohio Country

"Two hundred and fifty years ago, Ohio was an outpost of the American Revolution as colonists fought for freedom and change. We are excited to give our visitors a glimpse of 1776 at our Continental Army Encampment on April 15," said Historic Site Manager, Chris Matheney, "Come experience how our young nation was forged through the sights and sounds of the Revolutionary War."

Nonprofit organization L.A. Catering, a division of LifeCare Alliance, will be providing free tasting samples of real-life recipes from the revolutionary time period!

Visitors and history enthusiasts are encouraged to explore this history encampment. For groups of 25 or more, please RSVP to tours@ohiostatehouse.org by April 14.

For any questions concerning content or programming, please reach out to Chris Matheney, CMatheney@ohiostatehouse.org.

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds statewide in honor of the life and service of Sgt. Tyler Simmons, Capt. Seth R. Koval and Capt. Curtis J. Angst, members of the Ohio Air National Guard killed during Operation Epic Fury. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of their funerals.


April 7, 2026 Update: The flags of the United States of America and the state of Ohio may return to full-staff at sunset on Friday, April 10, 2026, following the funerals of Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, who were killed during Operation Epic Fury.
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