Chillicothe, Ross County, and Ohio — The first Saturday in March is usually when the First Capital of Ohio celebrates becoming the first capital in 1803. “Statehood Day” in Chillicothe last weekend was a popular success, with the often unpredictable late winter / early spring weather allowing for a comfortable event this year.
It began with the 58th annual Statehood Day Prayer Breakfast, at its new location in First Presbyterian Church. The event produced by Chillicothe Kiwanis features prayers for the community, state, and nation by the Ross County Ministerial Association, plus a “political” speech by a local or state officeholder.
Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney gave that speech this year, as it was the Democratic party’s turn. He spoke on the Biblical theme of “blessed are the peacemakers.” Feeney started with Ohio’s and Ross County’s peacemaking 2,000 years ago with the Hopewell who built the prehistoric earthworks that were given worldwide recognition last fall.
He then “fast forwarded” 1,800 years to Tecumseh’s and Thomas Worthington’s cooperative effort at peace in 1807, and then to the 2000s with late county commissioners Frank Hirsch and Jim Caldwell working for decades for Ross County.
The clerical speaker was the Reverend Michael Culp of the young and growing Great City Church of the Nazarene in Chillicothe.
Statehood Day is also a venue for Kiwanis to present their “Statehood Day Achievement Award” to a citizen or citizens for “best representing the “Spirit of Ohio.” That went to Bill and Linda Herrnstein, who are best known for the Herrnstein auto dealership, but have also established the Herrnstein Family Fund through the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation.
Bill and Linda gave a short acceptance speech, mentioning all the great things they have seen in Chillicothe in the last 30 to 40 years, and the pride instilled in them by parents and grandparents. They said they did not realize all the history that the family has lived through until they looked into it – like helping to rebuild Chillicothe after the Great Fire of 1852, or outlasting the Hudson car corporation.
Free open houses of local historical institutions are a newer tradition for Statehood Day. In addition to the usual five – Ross County Heritage Center, David Nickens Heritage Center, Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, Ross County Genealogical Society, and Adena Mansion & Gardens – Hopewell Culture National Historical Park offered a presentation on that park’s centennial.
Hear Mayor Feeney and the Herrnsteins describe their speeches in their own words below.
See also my preview story on Statehood Day 2024, and my photo essay on it.
