Do you love all the trappings of the holidays? Would you like to look at historical objects from an earlier time? As it happens, the Ohio Statehouse, at 1 Capitol Square in Columbus, has what you and your family may be looking for! You can look and enjoy for free! In fact, the Statehouse has a list of three recurring events almost every day in December, with something for everyone in the family. Please note, however, the Choir Performances end on December 21st. Here’s the line-up of daily events:
- Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting – Thursday, December 6th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. This free family-friendly event is open to the public and will be held indoors in the Statehouse Atrium. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy refreshments, arts & crafts activities, games and special performances by local choirs and dancers. A free photo station will be available to capture your families’ moment with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
- Holiday Choir Performances – Every weekday, December 7 through December 21, held in the Museum Gallery, from noon – 1:00 pm. Enjoy a free lunchtime concert as Ohio choirs and musical groups celebrate and sing the songs of the season. Open to the public.
- Holiday Exhibit – Every day but Christmas, right through to December 31st. The Exhibit is open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily.
- Holiday Tours on Capitol Square – Every day, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The one-hour tours run from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, weekdays and on weekends at noon, 1, 2, and 3 pm beginning in the Map Room.
Perhaps you’ve already had an opportunity to listen to the free lunchtime music, where local Ohio groups celebrate with and for you by singing songs of the season? Everyone—visitors, residents, and staff—get to enjoy lunch hour concerts.
The Exhibit is very special indeed, as it showcases vintage holiday objects, from a 100-year period covering roughly 1870 to 1970. Want to find out more? Phone (614) 752-9777.
The tours that run every day (see the weekday and weekend hours, above) are a real treat. You can step back in time, circa 1880, to see all the fancy, intricate holiday decorations as they would have appeared in Victorian times. A trip to the People’s House will be in order too, so for something unusual, make sure to bring the family, and perhaps visiting relatives or guests. Meet in the Map Room (Third Street entrance is best) every weekday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except at noon, as noted, or get together on the weekend from noon through 3 p.m.
All of these events at the Statehouse are free, and they represent a great way to add to your enjoyment over the holidays. For more information please phone the number listed above, or visit the Statehouse’s website
