Newsroom Archives - Ohio History Connection

March 30, 2026

2026 Ohio History Fund Grant Recipients Announced

Grant Program Funded Through Voluntary Donations by Ohioans COLUMBUS — The Ohio History Connection is pleased to announce that it has awarded 15 Ohio History Fund grants to community history organizations. Now in its 14th year, the Ohio History Fund is a competitive matching grants program that is one of six "tax check-off" funds found […]

January 13, 2026

Octagon Earthworks Ranked Country’s Best New Attraction for 2025

We're No. 1! The Octagon Earthworks in Newark once again is in the national spotlight after being ranked the country's best new attraction for 2025 in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Octagon won the popular vote and was first among the 10 new attractions voted on by USA TODAY and Gannett readers. We are honored to […]

December 4, 2025

Ohio History Connection Once Again Earns AAM Accreditation

We have good news to share! We’re proud to announce that the Ohio History Connection once again has received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums—the gold standard of museum excellence for more than 50 years. This distinction recognizes our commitment to education, public service and collections care across all our sites, including the Ohio […]

July 16, 2025

Poindexter Village Drum Circle, Special Announcement Planned Aug. 2

COLUMBUS – The Ohio History Connection’s annual Poindexter Village Drum Circle event – organized in collaboration with the James Preston Poindexter Foundation and other local partners – will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the future site of Poindexter Village African American Museum, 290 N. Champion Ave. A special […]

June 25, 2025

Conestoga Announces $60,000 Donation for Tribal Youth Internship Program

Conestoga, the volunteering fundraising Corps of the Ohio History Connection, has announced a $60,000 donation to help fund and plan a new Tribal Youth Internship Program. This program will place college-age Native Americans in residential paid summer internships at Newark Earthworks and Fort Ancient—both part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage […]

March 21, 2025

Ohio History Connection Mourns Passing of Former Board President Thomas V. Chema

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Thomas V. Chema over the weekend. Chema, of Westlake, led the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees as its President from 2018 to 2022. Overall, he served on the board from 2004 to 2023. “One of the many accomplishments of Tom‘s career was to have a […]

August 3, 2024

Afrofuturism Poetry Challenge 2024

Poindexter 2024 Youth Poetry Challenge From The Roots Of The Past To The Fruits Of the Future In 2024, the Poindexter Village held the Afrofuturism Poetry Competition, a city-wide art challenge fostering poetry writing and exploration of the Afrofuturism genre among K-12 students. Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy that combines elements of science […]

August 1, 2024

Octagon Earthworks will open to public Jan. 1, 2025

COLUMBUS – The Ohio History Connection will open the Octagon Earthworks in Newark for full public access Jan. 1, 2025, after reaching a settlement with Moundbuilders Country Club to buy out its lease on the property. The organizations have agreed to settle for a confidential sum, averting a jury trial in the Licking County Court […]

June 28, 2024

State Capital Funds Will Support Ohio History Connection’s Strategic Plan

COLUMBUS – As part of the fiscal 2025-26 state capital budget bill, the Ohio History Connection has received $63.75 million to fund projects, sites and initiatives outlined in its 10-year strategic plan. House Bill 2, which included budget appropriations totaling $3.5 billion, was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on June 28. “We are deeply grateful […]

March 1, 2024

2024 Ohio History Fund Grant Recipients Announced

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio History Connection is pleased to announce 14 Ohio History Fund grants have been awarded to community history organizations. Now in its 12th year, the Ohio History Fund is a competitive matching grants program that is one of six “tax check-off” funds found on Ohio's income-tax return forms. It is funded […]