June 10, 2009
New Statehouse Museum Includes Information on Judicial Branch
Ohio citizens have an additional opportunity to learn about the judicial branch with today’s opening of 5,000 square feet of exhibit space on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer joined Gov. Ted Strickland, House Speaker Armond Budish and Senate President Bill Harris for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Moyer spoke of the need to continue to educate Ohio’s citizens on the role of each branch of government. “The information, and more importantly the knowledge, with which visitors will come away, will either broaden or reshape their view of civil society,” he said. “That knowledge will sharpen their focus on an important reality – that the hopes and desires of civil society are written into law by the legislature, approved and administered by the governor and reviewed and applied by the judiciary. Particularly at a time when civic education is woefully deficient in the world’s greatest constitutional democracy, we have a responsibility to our citizens to provide the information and knowledge necessary to participate in a democratic society.”
The hands-on interactive exhibits in the new Salmon P. Chase Education Center introduce visitors to the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government and what each contributes to the process of governing. In the Ohio Constitution exhibit area, which features replicas of the original 1802 and 1851 versions of the Ohio Constitution, visitors learn about the judicial branch.
The Statehouse display encourages visitors to learn more about the Ohio courts and the men and women who shape them by visiting the award-winning Supreme Court Visitor Education Center in the Ohio Judicial Center.
Opened in December 2005, the education center is designed to provide both adult and student visitors with an understanding and appreciation of the history, role and responsibility of the Ohio court system. Exhibits feature engaging images, videos and histories that challenge visitors to become involved using true-to-life displays illustrating important rulings and constitutional issues that touch the lives of citizens.
Learn more about the Visitor Education Center exhibits or arrange a tour.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow, 614.387.9250.