The Ohio Statehouse officially opened in 1861.
It is located at the corner of Broad and High Streets in the heart of downtown Columbus. The official address is 1 Capitol Square. The Ohio Statehouse serves as the state capitol building and seat of government for the state of Ohio. Built in the Greek Revival style, it houses the Ohio General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also contains the ceremonial offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, and state treasurer.
Free guided Ohio Statehouse tours are available every day except state holidays. Tours begin in the Map Room. On weekdays, tours start at 10:00 a.m. and run every hour on the hour, with the last tour beginning at 3:00 p.m. On weekends, tours begin at noon. Self-guided tours are also available for visitors who prefer to explore on their own.
Parking is convenient, with an underground garage located beneath the Statehouse. Street parking is also available nearby, and visitors can use the ParkColumbus app to pay for metered spaces.
The tour begins on the lower level, just outside the Statehouse Museum Shop. The shop features a wide variety of Ohio-themed souvenirs and collectibles, including books, gifts, and food products sourced from Ohio vendors.
The tour guide begins with a brief history of the Statehouse and the state of Ohio itself. You’ll learn that the original capital of Ohio was located in Chillicothe, about an hour south of Columbus. This explains why the Ohio state seal features the sun rising over large hills—sometimes even depicted as mountains in earlier versions.
As the tour continues, visitors discover that the Statehouse was designed in the Greek Revival style. The walls and columns were constructed from limestone quarried in Ohio, chosen both for practicality and as a symbol of the state’s natural resources.
Because the building was constructed before electric lighting, its design emphasizes natural light. High ceilings and open spaces were used to brighten the interiors, and some areas were originally open-air.
Over the years, much of the original design was altered in the name of modernization. By the 1980s, the building had suffered from neglect, and in 1989 there was even discussion of demolishing it. Fortunately, instead of tearing it down, a massive restoration project was launched. This effort uncovered and restored the limestone walls, original tile floors, and even stained glass windows featuring earlier versions of the Ohio seal.
One of the highlights of the tour is the Rotunda. Looking up, you’ll notice that from inside it appears to have a dome, but from the outside the building features a cupola instead. This compromise respected the Greek Revival style while still nodding to the popular dome designs of the era.
Inside the Rotunda, visitors can view a magnificent painting titled Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie, which depicts Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry leading Ohio to victory during the War of 1812. Also on display is the Lincoln-Vicksburg Monument, a marble sculpture commemorating the Civil War. While it may seem out of place in Ohio, the monument is fitting because three future U.S. presidents from Ohio—including Ulysses S. Grant—were involved in the Vicksburg campaign.
The tour also includes a visit to the Ohio Senate Chamber, where the State Senate convenes. The beautiful chandeliers you see today are not original but are carefully crafted replicas.
Throughout the building, you’ll notice portraits of prominent figures in Ohio’s political history, including William McKinley and Rutherford B. Hayes—both Ohio governors who went on to become presidents of the United States.
The final stop on the Ohio Statehouse tour is the Atrium, which connects the main Statehouse with the Senate building. Originally open-air, the Atrium once made for chilly winter walks and attracted flocks of pigeons. Eventually, a roof was added, transforming the space into a beautiful, functional hall. Today, the Atrium hosts important state events, blood drives, and even private wedding receptions.
The tour concludes with a visit to the Senate building, where you’ll notice a striking contrast in architectural style. Constructed during a period of great prosperity in Ohio’s history, the Senate building is adorned with ornate Italian marble, a luxurious upgrade from the sandstone of the main Statehouse.
Don’t miss a game at the Ohio State Stadium Tour.
Explore interactive exhibits at COSI.
Relax at the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory
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