Step inside a state capitol and you’re not just entering a government building, you’re walking into a living archive of American history. From marble floors that echo with the footsteps of past leaders to chambers where debates shaped the nation’s direction, these buildings represent the values, struggles, and achievements of their time. Jane Moorman’s Ohio State Capitol shines a light on this truth, showing how Ohio’s unique statehouse connects us directly to the stories of the past.
Completed in 1861 after more than two decades of construction, the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus reflects the democratic ideals of its time. Unlike many capitols crowned with domes, Ohio’s architects chose a Greek Revival design with a distinctive dome-less cupola. This decision symbolized strength, order, and practicality, a visual statement of the state’s independent spirit. Through her photographs, Moorman captures this uniqueness, reminding readers that even architectural choices carry deep historical meaning.
Inside, the Statehouse tells stories carved in stone and patterned in marble. The rotunda’s intricate floor design, crafted from materials gathered across the United States, reflects a vision of unity at a time when the country faced division and civil war. Leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley once walked its corridors, their presence linking Ohio directly to pivotal moments in national history. Moorman’s images draw attention to these details, helping us see the building not just as a workplace but as a monument to shared heritage.
Visiting capitols like Ohio’s offers something textbooks cannot: a tangible connection to the past. Each hallway and chamber speaks of the people who worked, argued, and dreamed within them. Architecture, art, and symbolism come together to tell stories of growth and identity, making capitols valuable classrooms for anyone seeking to understand America’s journey.
Moorman’s Ohio State Capitol reminds us that capitols are more than destinations for tourists or seats of government. They are cultural landmarks, bridges between past and present. By pairing photography with historical context, she makes these stories accessible, showing how even the smallest details, a carving, a window, a staircase, can reveal something profound about the American experience.
For history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, or anyone curious about the layers of meaning within civic spaces, Ohio State Capitol is an invitation to explore. It proves that by visiting capitols, we can discover not just government buildings, but windows into the very heart of America’s past.
If you want to see this unique window into history through the eyes of a photographer and storyteller, Jane Moorman’s book, Ohio State Capitol, is worth it.
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1JS79L.