The Ohio Statehouse is open just about every day for visitors. On those visits, you can see the magnificent Rotunda, the Annex and usually the Atrium. If you go on one of the guided tours that are offered throughout the day, you get to see some of the other areas such as the Senate Chambers and the House of Representatives. These tours are free. However, several times throughout the year, the statehouse conducts a very limited number of tours that take visitors where few people ever get to see.
One of those tours is called the "Cornerstone to Cupola" tour. This tour usually fills up in just a few days of it being announced, so you have to be quick. They usually cost a modest amount, that is well worth it.
Like most public buildings, when construction began on the Ohio statehouse in 1839, it was a big deal for the city and all the dignitaries of the day came out for the ceremonial laying of the Statehouse Cornerstone. Located on the northeast corner of the statehouse, well below ground level, the cornerstone was placed. When you get to see the actual statehouse cornerstone, it's rather surprising. There is no carving or date inscription. In fact, if you didn't have a knowledgeable guide, you would probably just pass the stone by.
When you see the stone, you're actually seeing only one end of it that is exposed. It is about 3' wide and 24" tall, with a 12" lid. Nicknamed the "coffin" because of it's shape, the cornerstone is about 6 foot long. Packed inside and sealed since 1839, are a number of important official documents such as a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Charter of the Northwest Territory, and documents relating to the creation of the state. A long list of other items included newspapers of the day, a Bible, some coins, and other items that have been sealed in lead lined glass jars.
During the recent renovation of the Statehouse, a special x-ray apparatus was brought down and the stone was scanned. The results indicated that there appeared to be objects inside the stone, but because they were in lead-lined glass, the actual contents could not be determined. So the cornerstone will remain sealed until some time in the future when it is determined that the building should be torn down.
The lower levels of the building and in particular the foundation, were built with prison labor. During the construction, the prisoners sometimes left some graffiti on the walls. In the renovation process, some of this graffiti was uncovered during the remodeling process. Rather than cover it up during the remodeling, the graffiti was left exposed and preserved. Part of the tour in the lower levels of the building allows visitors access to some of those areas to see the markings.
The most dramatic part of the tour is climbing up the very narrow stone spiral stairs to the Cupola of the capitol. At one time, the Cupola was open to the public, but safety regulations prohibit general access today. In fact, anyone accessing the area has to sign a liability waiver before making the steep climb.
The first part of the climb is up a extremely narrow stone spiral stairway. This is not a climb for anyone that has a problem climbing more than a few stairs. After going round and round, you finally reach the first level and more stairs.
Just when you think you can't take another step, you finally reach the narrow room that surrounds the Rotunda. This is the graffiti room. You could spend the entire day just reading all of the comments people have posted. You too get to leave your own comments as the tour guide gives you a pen.
The circular room also features the floor to ceiling windows that gives you a beautiful view of the downtown.
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