Description: Photograph showing workmen completing work on the windows of the plaza level, during the construction of the Ohio History Center at I-71 and 17th Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Originally the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) housed its collections in the Ohio Statehouse. In 1894, the organization moved to Orton Hall at The Ohio State University, but as the two institutions both continued to grow, the organization began looking for a new location by the mid-1960s. Ground was broken at the Center's current location near the Ohio State Fairgrounds on August 22, 1966. Designed by architect William Byron Ireland (1930-1982) and his firm Ireland & Associates, the Brutalist-style building contains over 21,000 cubic feet of concrete. Brutalism is a mid-century style of architecture characterized by bold, massive, geometric shapes and rough-finished surfaces. R.W. Setterlin & Sons, general contractors, completed construction of the building in 1970, and the Center was dedicated on August 23, 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B11F02_04_01
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Construction industry--Ohio;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph taken April 8, 1969, during the construction of the Ohio History Center at I-71 and 17th Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Originally the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) housed its collections in the Ohio Statehouse. In 1894, the organization moved to Orton Hall at The Ohio State University, but as the two institutions both continued to grow, the organization began looking for a new location by the mid-1960s. Ground was broken at the Center's current location near the Ohio State Fairgrounds on August 22, 1966. Designed by architect William Byron Ireland (1930-1982) and his firm Ireland & Associates, the Brutalist-style building contains over 21,000 cubic feet of concrete. Brutalism is a mid-century style of architecture characterized by bold, massive, geometric shapes and rough-finished surfaces. R.W. Setterlin & Sons, general contractors, completed construction of the building in 1970, and the Center was dedicated on August 23, 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B11_F2_01_01
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Construction industry--Ohio;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of John E. Junkins, Superintendent for R.W. Setterlin & Sons Construction Company, standing on the steps between the lower level and plaza level of the Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio. Originally the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) housed its collections in the Ohio Statehouse. In 1894, the organization moved to Orton Hall at The Ohio State University, but as the two institutions continued to grow, the organization began looking for a new location by the mid-1960s. Ground was broken at the Center's current location near the Ohio State Fairgrounds on August 22, 1966. Designed by architect William Byron Ireland (1930-1982) and his firm Ireland & Associates, the Brutalist-style building contains over 21,000 cubic feet of concrete. Brutalism is a mid-century style of architecture characterized by bold, massive, geometric shapes and rough-finished surfaces. R.W. Setterlin & Sons, general contractors, completed construction of the building in 1970, and the Center was dedicated on August 23, 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B11_F2_02_01
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Construction industry--Ohio;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the newly-installed shelving on the fourth floor of the Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio. Originally the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) housed its collections in the Ohio Statehouse. In 1894, the organization moved to Orton Hall at The Ohio State University, but as the two institutions both continued to grow, the organization began looking for a new location by the mid-1960s. Ground was broken at the Center's current location near the Ohio State Fairgrounds on August 22, 1966. Designed by architect William Byron Ireland (1930-1982) and his firm Ireland & Associates, the Brutalist-style building contains over 21,000 cubic feet of concrete. Brutalism is a mid-century style of architecture characterized by bold, massive, geometric shapes and rough-finished surfaces. R.W. Setterlin & Sons, general contractors, completed construction of the building in 1970, and the Center was dedicated on August 23, 1970. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B11_F2_03_01
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Construction industry--Ohio;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two 8" x 10" photographs show construction of the Ohio History Center in May and July, 1969. At a press conference held in November 10, 1964, Governor James Rhodes included financing for the construction of a new archives, library, and museum building for the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection). Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building that would become the Ohio History Center were held on August 22, 1966. The new building opened on Sunday, August 23, 1970, and was dedicated to "the people of Ohio whose illustrious deeds are herein enshrined and proclaimed for the inspiration of all." Upon its opening in 1970, the American Institute of Architects applauded the Center as a "bold, imaginative, almost startling structure." Architectural Record, in a July 1971 article, called it "no doubt the most architecturally significant public structure built in Ohio since the State Capitol Building." W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio History Connection (previously the Ohio Historical Society) conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3352_4881945_001
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Governor James Rhodes used an Ohio-shaped shovel to turn the first earth for the new Ohio History Center, shown here on on August 22, 1966. The Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) moved to the new building, located near the Ohio State Fairground on Velma Avenue, after 53 years in the Ohio State Museum building on High Street near the entrance to The Ohio State University. Pictured in the first photograph are (left to right): Trustees Don E. Weaver, Wayne J. Graf, and Harold J. Grimm, architect Byron Ireland, Governor James Rhodes, Senator Robert Shaw, Representatives Keith McNamara and Jerry O'Shaughnessy. The second photograph shows (left to right): OHS President Daniel R. Porter, trustee Fred J. Milligan, Governor James Rhodes and trustee Don E. Weaver. W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio History Connection conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3368_4835281_001
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Design and construction; Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Seven photographs document the Ohio History Center soon after its opening in August 1970. Images show the exterior of the building at night, the exhibit floor, plaza level, and reading room. The photographs measure 9.5" x 6.5" (24.13 x 16.51cm). At a press conference held in November 10, 1964, Governor James Rhodes announced financing for the construction of a new archives, library, and museum building for the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection). Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building that would become the Ohio History Center were held on August 22, 1966. The new building opened on Sunday, August 23, 1970, and was dedicated to "the people of Ohio whose illustrious deeds are herein enshrined and proclaimed for the inspiration of all." Upon its opening in 1970, the American Institute of Architects applauded the Center as a "bold, imaginative, almost startling structure." Architectural Record, in a July 1971 article, called it "no doubt the most architecturally significant public structure built in Ohio since the State Capitol Building." W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio History Connection conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3384_4919375_001
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This 9.5" x 6.5" (24.13 x 16.51cm) photograph of the dedication of the Ohio History Center, the new home of the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection), was taken on August 23, 1970. At a press conference held in November 10, 1964, Governor James Rhodes announced financing for the construction of a new archives, library, and museum building for the Ohio Historical Society. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building that would become the Ohio Historical Center were held on August 22, 1966. The new building opened on Sunday, August 23, 1970, and was dedicated to "the people of Ohio whose illustrious deeds are herein enshrined and proclaimed for the inspiration of all." Upon its opening in 1970, the American Institute of Architects applauded the Ohio History Center as a "bold, imaginative, almost startling structure." Architectural Record, in a July 1971 article, called it "no doubt the most architecturally significant public structure built in Ohio since the State Capitol Building." W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio History Connection conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3369_4881955_001
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Celebrations
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph of children on the steps of the Ohio History Center was taken around 1970. At a press conference held in November 10, 1964, Governor James Rhodes announced financing for the construction of a new archives, library, and museum building for the Ohio Historical Society. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building that would become the Ohio History Center were held on August 22, 1966. The new building opened on Sunday, August 23, 1970, and was dedicated to "the people of Ohio whose illustrious deeds are herein enshrined and proclaimed for the inspiration of all." Upon its opening in 1970, the American Institute of Architects applauded the Center as a "bold, imaginative, almost startling structure." Architectural Record, in a July 1971 article, called it "no doubt the most architecturally significant public structure built in Ohio since the State Capitol Building." W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection) conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3386_4919415_001
Subjects: Architecture; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Children
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two photographs document the unveiling of a plaque honoring Governor James Rhodes at the Ohio History Center. The plaque hangs on the plaza level of the building, which was constructed during the Rhodes administration. A third photograph shows the Governor and Mrs. Rhodes touring the library collections with librarian Elizabeth Martin and director Daniel R. Porter. At a press conference held November 10, 1964, Governor James Rhodes unveiled financial provisions for the construction of a new archives, library, and museum building for the Ohio Historical Society (now the Ohio History Connection). Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building that would become the Ohio History Center were held on August 22, 1966. The new building opened on Sunday, August 23, 1970, and was dedicated to "the people of Ohio whose illustrious deeds are herein enshrined and proclaimed for the inspiration of all." Upon its opening in 1970, the American Institute of Architects applauded the Center as a "bold, imaginative, almost startling structure." Architectural Record, in a July 1971 article, called it "no doubt the most architecturally significant public structure built in Ohio since the State Capitol Building." W. Byron Ireland & Associates, a Columbus architectural firm, designed the Ohio History Center building. The building is an example of "Brutalism," a rational, structuralist, monumental style exported in the early 1950s by French and British architects. Distinguished by its structural honesty and undisguised, blunt use of materials, Brutalism departed from conventional bourgeois styles. Stone and marble were rejected in favor of form-textured concrete, or beton brut, a technique employed by the French architect LeCorbusier. Founded in 1885, the Ohio History Connection conducts a range of activities related to interpreting, collecting and preserving the state's heritage. In the last century, the organization has collected more than 1.5 million items pertaining to Ohio's history, archaeology, and natural history. The organization's services include managing the state archives, administering the state's historic preservation office, and operating a network of historic sites and museums. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3370_4919361_001
Subjects: Ohio Government; Ohio Historical Society; Museums; Archives; Libraries; Brutalism (Architecture); Rhodes, James A. (James Allen), 1909-2001
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)