The annual local celebration of Ohio becoming a state, and Chillicothe its first capital, was March 7th. “Statehood Day” had an Ohio Supreme Court justice and local pastor speak, awarded the leader of Goodwill Industries, and was followed by open houses of local historical institutions.
The Chillicothe Kiwanis Club and the Ross County Ministerial Association partner in its production, and host a “political speaker” and “ministerial speaker.” Hear both summarizing their talks in their own words in the below video interviews.
Marvin Jones, Chairman of Goodwill of South Central Ohio, received the 2026 Ohio Statehood Day Achievement Award for being “a citizen who embodies the ‘SPIRIT of OHIO.'”
The political speaker was Justice Jennifer Bruner of the Ohio Supreme Court. She said she addressed the day’s theme of “Room at the Table” – trying to find a remedy, allowing everyone to be heard, and making sure the rule of law does not hurt people.
In summarizing her talk, Bruner said she draws experience from the arc of her career, including being the first woman Ohio Secretary of State – as well as being a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and wife.
The ministerial speaker was Chris Brown, pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church. In summarizing his talk, he admitted that he was chatty – that it was from the heart. He said growing up in the East Side of Chillicothe shaped him and grounded him.
Brown pointed out that the state motto is incomplete: “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). He said it is lacking the first part, where Jesus said “with man, it is impossible,” in reference to salvation. He said that God’s truth binds all people together.
Brown also pointed out that the event brings together politics and religion – something you are never supposed to do in polite conversation. But he said his perspective was like Bruner’s on the rule of law – like God’s love, it is applied equally.
Then the Ross County Historical Society coordinated open houses of Chillicothe institutions for the rest of the day: the Phoenix Fire Museum, Adena Mansion & Gardens, David Nickens Heritage Center, Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, Chillicothe Railroad Museum (the cabooses), and Ross County Genealogical Society – as well as the Ross County Heritage Center. There should be plenty of social media on the open houses to find.
The weather on the date is notoriously fickle. For the state bicentennial in 2003, the city had to pay overtime for snow removal…but this year, it was a warm spring day.
