STATEHOUSE NEWS

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In honor of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be raised to full-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio on January 20, 2025. The flags shall be lowered back to half-staff in honor of former President James Earl Carter, Jr., on January 21, 2025, and shall remain lowered until sunset on January 28, 2025.

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In honor of the life and service of former State Senator Ben Espy, Ohio 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 Franklin County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, January 13, 2025.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

Learn more about State Senator Ben Espy on OhioStatehouse.org.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In accordance with the orders issued by the President of the United States of America, in honor of the life and service of former President James Earl Carter, Jr., Ohio 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 the State of Ohio for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. The flags shall remain lowered until sunset on January 28, 2025.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In honor of the life and service of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Officer Andrew Lansing, Ohio 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 Ross County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower as well as at all Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction facilities now until sunset on the day of his funeral

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(Columbus, Ohio) – The Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $1,000,000 anonymous gift to support the construction of the Ohio Women’s Monument, set to grace the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse. The gift is given in tribute to late Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, the trailblazing first female Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, who passed away earlier this year.

“This transformational gift not only makes the Ohio Women’s Monument possible but ensures that Speaker Davidson’s remarkable legacy is etched into Ohio’s history forever,” said Charles Moses, Chair of the Capitol Square Foundation. “We are profoundly humbled by the donor’s generosity and proud to play a part in recognizing the vital contributions of women to our State and Nation.”

The project, approved last month by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), gained momentum with a recent fundraising event featuring Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. The monument, designed by acclaimed sculptor Brenda Councill, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026—a fitting tribute as Ohio commemorates its historical milestones and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Laura Battocletti, Executive Director of CSRAB, celebrated the gift as a pivotal moment for the project. “This gift is a profound honor for a woman who dedicated her life to advancing opportunities for women in Ohio’s political and business arenas,” Battocletti shared. “The Ohio Women’s Monument will stand as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come, particularly for the thousands of schoolchildren who visit the Statehouse every year. It’s a lasting tribute to the determination and vision of women shaping history.”

Spearheaded by the Ohio Women’s Suffrage Monument Commission, chaired by Senator Stephanie Kunze, the initiative seeks to celebrate all women who have made lasting contributions to Ohio and beyond. Senator Kunze shared, “This project honors the collective spirit and achievements of women throughout history. This generous gift underscores the importance of recognizing those contributions and inspires us to continue the journey toward equality and opportunity.”

As Ohioans prepare to celebrate the unveiling of this monumental work, the Capitol Square Foundation invites all to join in honoring the extraordinary contributions of Speaker Davidson and countless other women whose courage and vision have paved the way for progress.

For additional information and to donate, visit https://ohcapitolsquarefoundation.org/about-the-statehouse/ohio-womens-suffrage-monument/.

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In honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in accordance with orders from the President of the United States, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2024.

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Columbus, OH – The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) invites the public to celebrate the holidays in December at the Ohio Statehouse. Starting with the 2024 Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, CSRAB then welcomes all to enjoy other activities throughout the rest of the month, including performances by local schools, decorations, tours and special items and sales at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

Capitol Square will kick off the holiday season at the annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., emceed by Santa 95 for the first time ever! After Santa’s arrival, the Governor, and First Lady of Ohio light the tree in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. Cookies, craft activities and performances by Ohio choirs and dance companies will be available throughout the evening. Find further details about this family-friendly event on the Statehouse calendar at OhioStatehouse.org.

During the rest of December, other special performances by students from across Ohio will be open to the public. On weekdays, school choirs will perform at noon in the Museum Gallery, on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. As the legislative schedule allows, The Ohio Channel will also live-stream many of the concerts:

Dec. 9 The Grace Notes – Columbus School for Girls
Dec. 10 Harp Concert – Olivia Claggett
Dec. 11 Winchester Trail Elementary School Choir
Dec. 12 Indian Lake High School Chorale
Dec. 13 JG Company - John Glenn High School

Dec. 16 Johnstown-Monroe High School Choir
Dec. 17 Logan High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 18 Knight Sounds – Northmor High School Show Choir
Dec. 19 Kenton Ridge High School Chamber Singers
Dec. 20 Bexley High School Vocal Ensemble

Throughout the month, the Statehouse Museum Shop will feature Ohio-themed gifts and the collectible 2024 Ohio Statehouse Christmas Ornament. Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse from December 5 through December 9 may have a sweet discount during the Candy Cane Sale. Shoppers may pull a candy cane to find a discount of 15% to 40% off their total purchase. See Shop for details and exclusions.

The Ohio Statehouse also offers public tours every day except state holidays. Guided tours start in the Map Room, on the ground floor, at the top of every hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Out-of-town guests may enjoy a free tour of the Ohio Statehouse during their stay in Ohio.

Inside the Ohio Statehouse, modern decorations reminiscent of the nineteenth century highlight the historical character of the building, completed in 1861. Outside, red and green lights will illuminate Capitol Square.

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(Columbus, OH) –State Senator Kirk Schuring will lie in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Senate tribute will be held in the Senate Chamber from 1:00 p.m. -1:45 p.m

The tribute to the life and service of Senator Schuring will immediately follow in the Atrium.

The public is invited to pay their respects.

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