For Immediate Release:
January 6, 2011
Contact:
Gregg Dodd
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
614/728-2130 ■ ■
National Park Service “Civil War to Civil Rights” Program Visits Ohio Statehouse
Event Marks 150th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Ohio Statehouse Visit While on His Inaugural Journey from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, DC
(Columbus – OH) The year-long Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial celebration continues with a visit from “Abraham Lincoln” to the Ohio Statehouse 150 years to the day after his February 13, 1861 visit. The special visit by a nationally renowned Lincoln re-enactor will take place on Sunday, February 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. The presentation is free and open to the public; however an RSVP is required at due to limited seating.
The Ohio Statehouse program is part of the National Park Service’s Civil War to Civil Rights program. The program retraces Lincoln’s journey from Illinois to the nation’s capital for his inauguration a century and a half ago. The National Park Service will use the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s inaugural trip to provide insight into the issues that the nation faced just prior to the Civil War, and illustrate how this story resonates with Americans today.
Fritz Klein, a nationally renowned Lincoln presenter, will deliver a one hour living history program portraying Lincoln during the tumultuous time of his February, 1861 inaugural journey. During the program, “Lincoln” will share his concerns, fears and hopes as the nation teeters towards secession and civil war. At the presentation's conclusion, the audience members will be welcome to ask questions of President-elect Lincoln to further discern his perspective on the divisive issue of slavery.
Civil War music will be provided by musician and Civil War re-enactor Steve Ball prior to the program.
Abraham Lincoln traveled through more than 83 cities and towns in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland on his way to Washington from February 11-23, 1861. This 150th anniversary program will focus on the 13 major communities along the Lincoln inaugural route: Springfield, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
The National Park Service is sponsoring the national program and providing the core components for the special event. Abraham Lincoln re-enactor, Fritz Klein, will give a portion of the actual speech that Lincoln gave to a standing-room only crowd in the Ohio House of Representatives Chamber on February 13, 1861.A bronze plaque will be unveiled during this program commemorating Lincoln’s 1861 visit to the Ohio Statehouse.
For more information about the National Park Service’s Civil War to Civil Rights” interpretive program, contact Timothy Good at or 314/842-3298 Ex. 222.
The program is presented with marketing support from the Ohio Historical Society, Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism and Experience Columbus.
About Abraham Lincoln’s February 13, 1861 Ohio Statehouse Visit
Abraham Lincoln visited the Ohio Statehouse on February 13, 1861 when he was making his way by train to Washington, DC to be sworn in as President. The Ohio Statehouse was not yet completed when Lincoln stopped in Columbus and attended events and spoke to a joint session of the 54th Ohio General Assembly.
Lincoln was making his way by train to Washington, DC to be sworn in as President when he stopped in Columbus in the winter of 1861. While at the Ohio Statehouse, Lincoln visited with Governor William Dennison and then spoke to a joint session of the Ohio Legislature in the House Chamber. During his conversation in the Governor's Office, Lincoln received a telegram informing him that the election results had been duly certified and he was indeed President-Elect. In contrast to the small crowd that had greeted him two years earlier, a newspaper account stated that the welcoming crowd around the Statehouse was "packed together as closely as pickles in a jar" and that the uniformed members of the honor guard had to open a path into the Capitol building.
The Lincoln Inaugural Route Anniversary Schedule
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in November 1860. He made a grand one week railway tour from his hometown in Springfield, Illinois to his inauguration in WashingtonD.C., which then took place in March. The trip was scheduled according to a precise timetable agreed upon along the route. The stops were brief and coincided with service requirements of fuel and water for the steam locomotive.
Lincoln stopped, and spoke at several big cities along the way, including Columbus. The inaugural train left Springfield on February 11. It stopped at Indianapolis the same day. Lincoln arrived at Cincinnati on February 12, and the Ohio Statehouse on February 13. The train arrived at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 14.
Lincoln proceeded to Buffalo, New York on February16. The New YorkState cities of Rochester, Syracuse and Utica were visited on February18. Lincoln arrived at the Albany State Capitol on February 19. That same day there were stops along the Hudson River line at Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Peekskill. The train traveled to New York City the same day.
The 2011 Lincoln Inaugural anniversary route schedule is:
Friday, February 11, 2011: Springfield, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana; Saturday, February 12, 2011: Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio; Sunday, February 13, 2011: Cincinnati, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio; Monday, February 14, 2011: Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Tuesday, February 15, 2011: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio; Wednesday, February 16, 2011: Cleveland, Ohio and Buffalo, New York; Thursday, February 17, 2011: Buffalo, New York; Friday, February 18, 2011:Buffalo, New York and Albany, New York; Saturday, February 19, 2011:Albany, New York and New York, New York; Sunday, February 20, 2011:New York, New York; Monday, February 21, 2011:New York, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tuesday, February 22, 2011:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland; Wednesday, February 23, 2011:Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC.
About Lincoln Re-enactor, Fritz Klein
Considered one of the nation’s foremost Lincoln actors, Richard F. (Fritz) Klein makes Lincoln and his period of history come alive. Klein was born in 1948 and was raised in Southern California. He graduated from ConcordiaCollege in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1970 and began acting as a hobby in 1975. The first time he was asked to portray Abraham Lincoln was in 1976 at a municipal celebration of the Nation’s bicentennial. Klein now resides in Springfield, Illinois with his wife and family where he performs for some of the city’s 500,000 annual visitors. From there he also travels to points across the nation on tours and by special invitation.
For more information about Fritz Klein, including images, visit
About the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial
The people of Ohio will celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse throughout 2011. The Ohio Statehouse has served as the heart of Ohio democracy for the last 150 years. Throughout the state, the Ohio Statehouse stands as a symbol of the legislative and executive branches of state government, and the people of Ohio.
After 22 years of construction, the Ohio Statehouse was completed in 1861 at the beginning of the American Civil War. One hundred and fifty years later, the Ohio Statehouse continues to serve as heart of Ohio democracy.
The Statehouse is considered to be one of the most significant architectural accomplishments of the early republic. Its Greek Revival Doric architectural details and proportions give the impression of permanence, elegance and grandeur deserved by the original State Legislature who passed a law on January 26, 1838 to build the new Statehouse. Restored to its 1861 appearance, the Ohio Statehouse maintains its historic character as it continues to function as the center of state government in Ohio.
Throughout 2011, the Ohio Statehouse will host a variety of special events, re-enactments and exhibits to celebrate the sesquicentennial of our great CapitolBuilding. The events will commemorate the lasting legacy and history of the Ohio Statehouse. Through educational programs, public forums, arts projects and special events, the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial will provide an opportunity for all Ohioans to learn about the history of the building, events and the people who have come to serve.
Additional Resources
Lincoln educational materials are available online at:
To view the complete text of Abraham Lincoln’s Ohio Statehouse speech on February 13, 1861, visit:
High resolution images of the Ohio Statehouse and Abraham Lincoln are available at:
A video (00:02:30) highlighting Lincoln’s February 13, 1861 Ohio Statehouse visit is available at:
To view this press release and others, visit
The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The OhioStatehouseMuseum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit
The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The OhioStatehouseMuseumEducationCenter coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.
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CALENDAR LISTING:
Abraham Lincoln Re-enactor Visits the Ohio Statehouse
Sesquicentennial Event
February 13, 2011
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, Broad & High Streets; downtown Columbus
Free, RSVP required by visiting
Explore Ohio’s connection with Abraham Lincoln with a visit from President Lincoln. Our nation’s 16th President will provide an hour-long presentation. The program will occur 150 years to the day from Lincoln’s historic speech to the 54th Ohio General Assembly on February 13, 1865. Free and open to the public, online RSVP required at
The 150th Anniversary of President-elect Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural trip from Springfield, Illinois to WashingtonD.C. provides an excellent opportunity for a conversation about the importance of the coming Civil War Sesquicentennial. The goal of the reenactment is to provide the public with insight into the issues that this nation faced just prior to the Civil War and illustrate how this story resonates today.
This program is presented in partnership with the National Park Service, Ohio Department of Travel and Tourism, the Ohio Historical Society and Experience Columbus.
Gregg Dodd
Deputy Director
Communications, Marketing and Events
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, Ohio43215
614/728-2130
614/752-5209 FAX
See you at the People's House!