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The Cincinnati Experience

The Roebling Suspension Bridge, spanning the O...
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Straddling the borders of Ohio and Kentucky where the Little Miami and Muskingum Rivers meet is Cincinnati. This massive metropolis (which spans almost 80 square miles, offering some of the Midwest most beautiful scenery) boasts a heritage that is uniquely American.

It was established in 1788, when explorers were seeking land beyond the eastern coasts (where European sensibilities still reigned). The intention was to tame the plains and prairies, to push at the frontier until it submitted; and that intention succeeded when men stumbled upon the fertile bluffs of the bluegrass region. There is a settlement was formed and was deemed the first true American city.

And this is reflected in its many offerings. Potential residents after receiving a moving company quote and discovering the easy costs of Midwestern living are encouraged to sample history: the Cincinnati Art Museum provides over 60,000 pieces of Native American and African designs (offering glimpses into the tragic age of slavery). BB Riverboats weaves guests along the water and hearkens back to the days of steam transportation, which helped to shape the city. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center chronicles the bravery of men and women who sought social revolution. And the American Sign Museum allows visitors to take a charming walk through the past, surrounded by flickering lights and neon, with advertisements displayed in all their glowing glory. The experience is one of a kind.

Cincinnati stands as Ohio’s most famed city and those wishing to indulge in history should seek it. Its origins are still inspiring; its beauty is undeniable; and all who visit will wish to stay.

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Ohio’s Official and Unofficial State Foods

State fruit - Tomato 

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Every state is famous for certain foods and beverages, just like they have state animals, state flowers and state birds. It isn’t commonly thought of, so finding the information was time consuming, but the foods Ohio is famous for may surprise people. 

 

In Reynoldsburg, Ohio Paragon tomatoes were ultimately developed (invented) by A. W. Livingston and used by the local populations in colonial Ohio. 

 

Since tomatoes were so common and grew so well in Ohio’s climate and landscapes it made sense that their state drink would be tomato juice. Tomato juice is delicious, especially when mixed with the juices of other fruits or vegetables, like apple or carrot juices. 

 

Ohio is the Place for Corn and Soy Beans, but not Officially 

The top producing crops in Ohio are corn and soy beans, although Ohio is the number two egg producer and number one Swiss Cheese producer in the US. Tomatoes are actually the number three product of Ohio. Averaging 186 acres per farm, the state has over 80,000 farms to produce food. 

 

Cincinnati has long been known as “Porkopolis” because of its high number of pig farms and pork packing plants, but it wasn‘t really officially named by law for the food, like tomato juice. Another food that’s associated with Ohio is the Shaker Lemon Pie. The Shakers and the Amish settled many parts around Canton, Ohio. 

 

Ohio’s official state tree (written into law) is the Buckeye, although there is no official food product made from Buckeyes. There is a Buckeye candy, but it has no relation to the tree except for appearance of the Buckeye.

 

 

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Ohio Politics

Ohio has been called the “Mother of Presidents” and for good reason. It has sent seven of its own to the White House. They include: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Warren G. Harding, William McKinley, James A. Garfield, William Howard Taft,  and Benjamin Harrison. Interestingly enough, all of them were Republicans.  Though a Virginian by birth, William Henry Harrison spent his life in Ohio. He was also president, of course, but not a Republican; he was a Whig. Next to Virginia, Ohio seems to have had the biggest impact on those who resided in the White House. The state of Ohio has been recognized as having a little bit of everything to offer: it has north-eastern and parts that are southern, there is both urban and rural to offset each other as well as poverty and suburbs with the booming up-and-comers.

As for political leanings, Ohio (as of 2008) has been in the Democratic Party’s camp. With approximately 2,408,180 registered Democrats it is heavily in this party’s favor when compared to its 1,486,470 registered Republicans. Those voters who don’t claim a party affiliation have approximately 4,057,520 voters after having lost about 15% since 2004. With 7,937,161 registered voters in total it is clear which side they went with as in 2008 Barack Obama won the popular vote in Ohio with 51.50% of the state’s vote.  But interesting to note also is that of Ohio’s 88 counties, Barack Obama only took 22 of them.

Ohio lost a congressional district in 2000 leaving it with 18 representatives for the United States House of Representatives. Following the 2010 Census it is expected that Ohio will lose two more seats.

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Ohio Economy

When it comes to Ohio’s economic interest it has always been able to show itself strong. It has won awards from various magazines for its business growth and constant business development. It has boasted a high gross domestic product ($466 billion in 2007) consistently falling within the top 10 states in the union.

In 2009 The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council ranked Ohio in the 10th position due to its business friendly tax policies including capital gains rate and corporate tax policies. It has also been highly ranked for having an excellent business climate as well as litigation climate. It was ranked number 8 for its regulatory environment by Forbes in 2009

Ohio also boasts 5 of the top 115 colleges from the United States as stated in U.S. News and World Report for 2010.

In 2007 Ohio experienced an increase in personal income of 4.7%, while its median household income stood at $46,650.  It also expects to grow its employment base 5% by 2016 meaning 290,700 jobs will be added to the workforce by that time.

18.3% of Ohio’s GDP comes from the state’s manufacturing and financial sectors. These areas are the state’s biggest industries when taken as a percentage of its GDP.  Ohio is also the lead state in the nation for “green” economy practices.  The state is also the national leader for producing rubber, electrical equipment, plastics , appliances and fabricated metals.

19.4% of Ohio’s workforce is in the trade, utilities and transportation sectors: the largest section of employment. 15.8% are employed in the education and health care sector followed by the government which employs 15.1% of the workforce and then comes manufacturing at 12.9%. The last sector is made up of professionals and technical services at 12.2%

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Adventure never ends in Ohio

Ohio is a state that lies in the heart of America and is a tourist attraction all over the world. Adventure never ends in the land of Ohio. From breathtaking view of mountains to the calm and serenity of lakes one get to see a lot more from what they in point of fact expect. Tourists visit Ohio in large numbers all over the year. The charm and charisma of this beautiful land is truly amazing. Fun and travel never ends in this land of adventure. From foot hills of mountains to the sun soaking coastal lands around Erie river people get to taste the true adventurous sprit in this state. Ohio getaway is always accompanied with the entertainment of various sorts. Different festivals are celebrated all over the year. The art and culture of this beautiful land is what attracts tourists from different parts of the world. The amazing nightlife of Ohio is full of fun and thrill. There are different night clubs and places where one can taste the sprit and fun of nightlife in this state. Weather acts as a great backup of the Ohio getaway. The weather remains moderate all over the year making it a tourist paradise. The temperature during summer and winters remain moderate. Erie River is a place where one can try out different water sporting activities. Water activities are quite common here and are practiced in large numbers. Sporting events all across Ohio makes the state full of vibrancy and color. Events related to art as well as culture are very common. The mountainous region also acts a place of trying out adventurous activities to people of Ohio. Different adventurous activities can be practiced and can be pursued whenever one wants. It is thus correctly said that the travel, entertainment, weather, different events, sports, culture all acts as the things due to which adventure never ends in this amazing place.

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The Wexner Center is for the Arts and All Your Senses

The Wexner Center for the Arts

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Most museums are a feast for the eyes and nothing more.  A statement that is generally true, but not always.  For an artistic buffet for all the senses, visit the Wexner Center on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.  The Wex, as it is affectionately known, is a modern art museum that has standard art shows, is a venue for the performing arts, functions as a movie house, and is capable of feeding the masses.  On any given day, anyone hungry for cutting edge art can visit the Wex to feed their eyes, ears, skin, nose, and tongue.

Visitors to the Wex need to train their eyes to not only take in the rotating exhibitions that fill the wills, but also upon the architecture itself.  The building is a nod back to an armory that once stood on campus while also serving as an example of the direction art museum design may take in the future.  The exhibitions likewise are grounded in the historical framework of art while also breaking the mold of what many people may consider to be art.

For the ears, the Wexner Center serves as a venue for emerging musical talents.  The performance space, housed within the museum, provides a stage for indie rock acts, jazz performers, as well as theatrical performances that blend traditional plays with emerging technological developments.

While touching is generally forbidden at museums as well as for most of the exhibits at the Wexner Center, the skin is not always forgotten.  The recent Andy Warhol exhibition provided several opportunities to physically touch the art installations.  Patrons of the Wex are also given the opportunity to shake the hand of the artists, directors, and musicians whose works are presented.

The nose and tongue are not forgotten at the Wex.  A European inspired café serves daily scratch made breakfast and lunch as well as providing coffees, teas, and juices.  Walk in to taste and smell what they have to offer.

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Brush Your Way Through the Toledo Museum of Art

The Trellis, 1862, Toledo Museum of Art, Toled...

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Art lovers who visit Ohio who want to stop at the Toledo Museum of Art. This museum houses over 35,000 pieces of art from across the United States that are displayed in approximately 35 galleries. It was started in 1901, and has been very popular since its inception not only for its quality art collection but also for its free admission. Besides the standard collection that visitors can see anytime of the year, the facility also rotates out several temporary exhibitions on various subjects. This museum is also one of the most visited ones in the country, with a yearly attendance of more than 470,000 people.

Besides housing pieces of art, the museum also brings visitors into the experience with guided tours given by trained docents, after school programs and glass demonstrations that make art come alive for the general public. On Fridays, parents can bring their children in for various activities that make for an evening of fun and quality time together.

It also features an outdoor Sculpture Garden along with the recently finished Glass Pavilion. The works on display are done by some of the most talented and creative artists in history, including: Matisse, Monet, Van Gogh, El Greco, Holbein and Rubens. There are also pieces from ancient times, Asia and you can stroll through their incredible collection of glass pieces.

The admission is free to the general collection, there may be a fee to attend any special exhibitions. Parking is five dollars, but you can park for free by becoming a member of the museum or by spending a certain amount in the gift shop. It is open from 10 to 4 Tuesday through Thursday, 10 to 10 on Friday, 10 to 6 on Saturday and 12 to 6 on Sunday. The Toledo Museum of Art is well worth a day’s visit, where you can stroll through the endless galleries and enjoy a beautiful art.

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Ohio’s Paradox of Slavery

The state of Ohio presents an interesting paradox when it comes to considering the historical question of slavery. Ohio was ahead of its time when it outlawed slavery in its first constitution drafted in 1803. Though African-Americans in the state lived under a legal form of freedom, the same legal system also denied them the basic rights of other residents of the state. For example, they were not allowed to testify in court if a white person was on trial for a crime, they could not send their children to publicly funded schools and they could receive no financial support from state poor houses. They were also not allowed to be a member of the state’s militia or to have the basic right to vote. Though they had left slavery behind in the South, they were still bound by the shackles of racism.

This legal flip-flop of freedom was coupled with racist pressures within white society. Many whites had a strong fear that African-Americans coming into the state would take away employment opportunities for whites. They actively pushed to keep them out of the state altogether. On the flipside, there were many whites who went in the opposite direction. They were supportive of African-Americans, especially during the period of the Civil War when slaves were fleeing north on the Underground Railroad. They risked their lives and being arrested to help funnel these travelers to freedom.

Despite the racism and efforts of narrowminded whites, African-Americans still continued to cross Ohio’s borders to find conditions that were remarkably better than those found down south. Their iron determination to start a new life and achieve freedom overcame these obstacles, though it took another century of strife to get the total freedom that they desired. This goal was achieved during the Civil Rights Movement, that eventually got the strength needed to make legal freedom a reality.

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Finding History: The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center

Stepping back into Ohio’s history is easily done when you visit the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center located in Dayton, Ohio. The museum offers a broad range of programming for both adults and children that brings to life the fascinating story of African Americans in the state. There are museums displays that take you from the early days when African-Americans first entered the state into the 20th century and beyond through the turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement.

For example, the display titled “From Victory to Freedom: Afro-American Life in the Fifties,” takes you through the period from 1945 to 1965. Starting with the end of the war, you will take a walk through this time by looking at actual items from the period, photos and three-dimensional settings. This includes a fifties barbershop and the interior of a church. The scenery comes to life with recordings of music and the voices of those who lived through this period. You can also get an inside look at African-Americans’ contribution to the history of music by watching a short film titled “Music As a Metaphor.”

The museum is also home to traveling and temporary exhibitions that feature a singular topic. Teachers can also bring their classes to the museum to take part in various educational programs. Presented by the museum staff, these programs take children into their state’s history by presenting it on a level that they can understand. Programs are geared for different age groups. Schools can contact the museum for further information and to schedule a class visit.

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is a destination that should be high on your list the next time you visit Ohio. It will change how you see the state’s history and provides education to the general public through enjoyable and engaging presentations. They also help to keep the contributions of African-Americans to the state from being forgotten.

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Delving into The Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is one of the best of its kind in the country, and is a one-stop source of learning and entertainment for visitors. Started in 1920, the museum has grown over the decades and now has a current focus on presenting research in science, education and conservation of the natural world. It also offers over 140 educational programs for the approximately 80,000 students that visit the museum each year. Visitors can peruse a variety of permanent exhibitions and look over the vast collection of natural history artifacts that are housed here.

For example, the museum holds over 5 million specimens and items within its collections. Visitors can stop to see Lucy, which is a cast made a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton of a human being. Children will go crazy for the life-size replicas of dinosaurs from the past, including a Tyrannosaurus rex. For a more recent exhibition, museum goers can stroll through the Perkins Wildlife Center and Woods Garden. This area showcases plant life and animals that are native to the state of Ohio.

Behind the scenes, museum curators conduct research into the following areas: physical anthropology, archaeology, botany, zoology and paleontology. Other museum staff help visitors travel to the stars in the Shafran Planetarium. They can also look at a telescope that was constructed in 1899 in the Meuller Observatory. Rockhounds can find over 1,500 kinds of minerals and gemstones that are located in the Wade Gallery.

For those who like something different, the museum regularly hosts special events that give visitors a different twist on a familiar topic. For example, there will be upcoming events on the natural history of chocolate and a variety of hands-on activities for all ages on Astronomy Day. Regardless of your interests, you will be able to find something to catch your fancy at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

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