Help Restore Funding for History and Preservation in Ohio
Background
The Ohio Senate recently slashed funding to the Ohio Historical Society, following years of state disinvestment in history and preservation. The Senate changes cut funding for the Society from $13.8 million two years ago to $10 million for Fiscal Years 2010-11. This represents the lowest allocation of state funding for the Society since 1994 ($9.6 million, or $13.8 million in inflation-adjusted funding). Included in the cuts were:
- $750,000 in funding for the 58 historic sites and museums under the care of OHS and its local site
- Teacher training and educational programs that leverage federal funding
- The Local History Office, which serves more than 800 local historical organizations
- National History Day in Ohio - a national program that originated in Ohio
- Staffing for the Civil War anniversary (2011-2015) initiative
- Historical Markers Program for 1,200 sites across Ohio
Take Action
Contact your state legislators and ask them to support funding for the Ohio Historical Society as they consider the budget bill.
Attend a Rally For History at noon on Thursday, June 11th at the Ohio Historical Center (I-71 & 17th Ave. in Columbus). For more information about the Rally, go online or e-mail Todd Kleismit, Ohio Historical Society Director of Government Relations.
