Some buildings are built to last. Others are built to speak, and the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus does both. Rising from the heart of Ohio’s capital, this remarkable structure has stood for more than 160 years, not only as a center of government but as a symbol of vision, integrity, and resilience. In her book, Ohio State Capitol, photographer and author Jane Moorman explores how this statehouse came to embody the democratic spirit of the people who built it, capturing its timeless beauty and the ideals that shaped it.
The vision for the Ohio Statehouse began in 1838, at a time when America itself was still defining its identity. Ohio’s leaders wanted a building that would reflect the values of reason, equality, and strength, principles rooted in ancient Greece, the birthplace of democracy. The result was a structure designed in the Greek Revival style, complete with massive Doric columns, balanced proportions, and a sense of calm dignity. Through Moorman’s lens, this architectural choice becomes more than a design; it becomes a statement. The Statehouse stands as a physical reminder that government, like architecture, should be strong yet open, enduring yet accessible.
Unlike most other state capitols, the Ohio Statehouse was built without a towering dome. Instead, its distinctive cupola, a flat, circular roofline, marks it as unique among its peers. Moorman’s photography draws attention to this bold choice, showing how the absence of grandeur became its own form of strength. The Statehouse doesn’t shout its importance; it conveys it quietly, through precision, balance, and purpose. Her images of the building’s exterior highlight the mastery of craftsmanship, while her interior shots reveal the luminous marble floors, grand staircases, and intricate patterns that reflect the hands and hearts of those who created it.
Moorman’s work also captures the human stories embedded in the Statehouse’s walls. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley once walked its halls; their echoes still seem to remain in its chambers. Through her thoughtful composition and attention to light, Moorman transforms these historical spaces into living narratives, reminding readers that history isn’t confined to textbooks. It’s alive in the architecture that endures.
What makes Ohio State Capitol so compelling is how it bridges the past and the present. The vision that built the Statehouse was one of permanence and purpose, a belief that democracy, like stone, must be cared for and preserved.
For anyone fascinated by architecture, history, or the quiet strength of civic design, Jane Moorman’s Ohio State Capitol offers a captivating glimpse into how vision shaped one of America’s most remarkable landmarks, and how that vision continues to guide us today.
Explore Jane Moorman’s Ohio State Capitol now, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJYVBK4.