The Schoolhouse Rock! series might not air on Saturday mornings anymore, but that doesn’t mean your children can’t get a meaningful lesson about how various aspects of the government work.

The newly constructed Ohio Statehouse Museum is now open to the public, serving as a free, interactive and educational center for visitors of all ages. The museum wing – located in the lower level of the Statehouse, or the “crypt” area – includes 15,000 square feet of exhibits dedicated to the history and role of Ohio legislators.

Exhibits cover the gamut of governmental processes and procedures and make them not only interesting, but also simplified. Visitors are able to “Balance the Budget” by perusing data, creating their own spending priorities and choosing initiatives to fund the allotment. Through interactive touch screen technology, which is used throughout the entire museum, patrons can learn about the importance of the budget, how it is created and where the money comes from. 

Another captivating exhibit is the “State of the State,” which includes the word-for-word State of the State addresses from Ohio governors throughout history – dating back to Edward Tiffin in 1803 – scrolling on a teleprompter behind a height-adjustable podium. You can either listen to the addresses or read through them yourself.

Other displays include “Making Laws,” where visitors can learn how a bill takes its path through the Ohio Legislature, including touch screen technology, audiovisual presentations, artifacts and more; “The Ohio Constitution,” with replicas of the 1802 and 1851 versions of the document and a timeline of Ohio history and key constitutional moments; and “Working for Ohio,” which helps visitors learn about the work of the Cabinet and some of the larger commissions and boards.

There is also the opportunity to “Meet the Governors,” exploring facts about each of Ohio’s chief executives, including their time in office, occupations and political affiliations.

The “Elections and Voting” gallery offers role-playing opportunities to convey information about the election process, issues and candidates throughout the state’s history. The museum includes select historical political commercials, a Civil War-era ballot box, buttons and other paraphernalia from past elections. 

There is also the "Great Ohians" exhibit, "Representing Districts" exhibit and plenty more. Each of the museum’s 15,000 square feet is used to educate in a fun and functional way.

And, according to Senator Richard Finan, chairman of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (which operates the Statehouse), the museum helps position the Ohio Statehouse as one of the best educational and learning environments in the country.

“We think kids will get an education here,” he says. “But we also think there is enough information here to interest adults, too.”

The interactive exhibits, narrative displays and extensive collection of artifacts provide plenty of interesting information to appease Statehouse visitors of all ages. The museum adds a whole new dimension to the Statehouse, which already hosts more than 80,000 visitors annually who come to check out the architecture, art collection, historical significance and current affairs relevance as a working office building for government officials.

For measure, a third phase of the museum will be completed in about a year and will add 5,000 more square feet to the exhibit space, including an area for video presentations. In the meantime, the current museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.