Ohio’s Statehood Day is officially on March 1st to commemorate the date when Ohio’s statehood was granted in 1803. However, Chillicothe celebrates on the first Saturday of March with this year’s events taking place on March 4th. During the celebration many of our historical attractions will be open with free admission and special one-day only events. The Chillicothe Kiwanis Club kicks off the event with their annual Statehood Day Breakfast.
Adena Mansion & Gardens will feature a reenactment of discussions that took place prior to Ohio’s statehood. Visitors will step back in time to a tavern in 1802 for the fiery debate over whether Ohio should become a state or remain with the Northwest Territory. Mansion tours will be available for visitors to tour the home of Thomas Worthington, “father of Ohio’s Statehood.”
The Ross County Heritage Center will hold the Grand Opening of their World War I Centennial Exhibit on Statehood Day. This exhibit will feature uniforms, equipment, photos and memorabilia of soldiers and military units from Camp Sherman. There will also be a special exhibit of original Ohio Statehood documents, exhibit of military arms & armaments from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, and traditional music by the Silver Strings Dulcimer Group.
Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, birthday place of First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes, will be open with special exhibits of Hayes family memorabilia. There will also be special displays of early Ohio maps and statehood documents. Exhibits of the 19th century home furnishings and decorative arts will also be on display. New this year will be a dramatic first-person portrayal of Chillicothe’s founder Nathaniel Massie.
David Nickens Heritage Center will be featuring “Flight to Freedom” video production on the Underground Railroad. Exhibits on African American heritage and culture include: “Occupations of People of Color in Chillicothe’s Past”, “Freedom’s Journey: The Underground Railroad”, “African American Women in the 19th Century”, and the “The Black Church in America.” New for this year’s event is the ability to learn all about our African American genealogical resources.
Region 9 Ohio History Day is hosted by Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Ohio History Connection and takes place at the Chillicothe High School. This year’s theme is “Taking a Stand in History“. Students will create historical papers, dramatic performances, creative documentaries, museum-like exhibits and websites. Exhibits will be open for public viewing between 12:30 and 1:30.
Want to know how to find out more about your family heritage? Members of the Ross County Genealogical Society will be available to show all the resources available to trace your heritage during the Statehood Day event.
This day of celebration is a perfect opportunity to explore all the great historical sites in Chillicothe and to learn more about Ohio’s history that started right here in Ohio’s first capital city.