Capitol Square Foundation : SEVC

History of the Capitol Square Foundation

Situated on Capitol Square in Columbus, the Ohio Statehouse is a beautifully-restored monument to the people of Ohio, their vision of our democracy, and the dream of a better place to live and work. But more than a monument to the past, it is a living museum where the people's business is conducted.

The Capitol Square Foundation was established in 1987 to increase public awareness of and to involve citizens in the history of the Ohio Statehouse. Its purpose is to raise funds to obtain, restore and maintain artifacts and other items related to the history and enhancement of this grand monument and its adjoining grounds, so that the seat of Ohio's government may reflect the dignity of the state and its citizens.

The Capitol Square Foundation, during the restoration of the Ohio Statehouse, raised over $10 million dollars as part of a $120 Million dollar effort to completely return Ohio's historic Statehouse to its original grandeur.

In 2003 the foundation launched the Capitol Square Foundation's "Great Ohioan" Award to commemorate the role of Ohioans in an event or series of events of lasting significance in world, American or Ohio history. The foundation's first honoree for this award is a group of individuals which commemorate Ohio's role in the birth and development of aviation: the honorable John Glenn and the Wright Brothers. It was fitting to honor these Ohioans in 2003, Ohio's bicentennial celebration as well as the 100th anniversary of powered flight. The foundation's dinner was a tribute to these aviation pioneers and celebrated how they changed our world.

Historically, the Capitol Square Foundation has honored individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to restoring and maintaining the grandeur of our state Capitol with the Richard H. Finan Award. This award recognized the efforts of this preeminent leader in the cause for the Ohio Statehouse renovation. His perseverance and continued efforts in preserving Ohio's heritage is a magnificent legacy for future generations. In addition to Senator Richard Finan as the award's first recipient in 1994, past award winners include the Honorable Vern Riffe (1995); the Honorable Stanley Aronoff (1996); the Honorable Jo Ann Davidson (1997); the Honorable Harry Meshel (1998); and the honorable Richard F. Celeste (2001).

In 2005 the Capitol Square Foundation began its multi year capital campaign seeking $2.75 million in private contributions to Enrich the Experience of visitors to the Ohio Statehouse. In July of 2006 the CSRAB chose Hilferty & Associates, an Ohio museum design firm, to create the conceptual designs for the new Visitors and Education Center. Hilferty & Associates worked with legislators, staff and visitors to explore ways to meet the needs of those in the Statehouse every day and to create a multi media experience that will keep people coming back to visit again and again. The conceptual designs were revealed on March 13, 2007 at a press conference outside the Map Room in the crypt of the Statehouse. The event also celebrated the corporate sponsors who have contributed lead gifts of more than $1.3 million to this exciting project. These sponsors are The Wolfe Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Honda of America, Carl Linder Foundation, Limited Brands Foundation, AT&T Foundation, American Electric Power, Nationwide Foundation, FirstEnergy Corp., Time Warner Cable, Dayton Power & Light Company, Huntington National Bank, and Battelle.

The Capitol Square Foundation is not a state agency and receives no government funding. It is incorporated in Ohio as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Service. Any personal or corporate donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent under the law.