There is a line from a long-forgotten B movie in which one of the main protagonists, laughing to a friend, says, “At the end of the day, I guess we all know someone from Ohio.” While the film is unmemorable, the line still resonates because the state feels like Americana.
The Buckeye State seems to pull from all corners of the country with a downhome feeling most Americans can feel drawn to. The state is as much the Rust Belt as the prairie and as cosmopolitan as it is backcountry. It has pennant-waving rural college towns, tiny Italian restaurants, and street cart Polish pierogi stands.
A passer-through could drive across Ohio and see glistening spires of tall buildings towering over bustling metropolitan populations. However, just a few miles later, they find themselves ensconced by acres upon acres of farmland buffeting rolling hills.
Ohio’s history is as singular yet diverse as one might expect from a state representing so much of the melting pot of the American spirit.
From its Native beginnings dating back to 13,000 B.C., its introduction of European settlers and entrance into the Union, and the essential role its industrialization played in strengthening a young country into an economic power, Ohio’s story is a vital one.
Some of these important stories and the stories of the people who made them are in Ohio’s five National Monuments. Read on to learn more!
Charles Young Buffalo Soldier National Monument: This monument tells the story of an unlikely yet ultimately triumphant hero, Charles Young. As a young Black man in post-Civil War America, Young faced racism and struggle that today may seem unimaginable. However, he chose to serve the country he loved anyway, rising through the ranks in the famed all-Black Buffalo Soldier regiments of the late 19th century. Today, visitors can visit this site to learn more about Young’s dogged determination, work ethic, and devotion to duty in the face of hatred and overwhelming obstacles to become a role model, military leader, and early Civil Rights hero.
Photo Courtesy NPS
Perry’s Victory And International Peace Memorial: This National Memorial commemorates a battle won during a young nation’s very earliest and most fragile days. Rising 352 feet above Lake Erie, this site preserves and honors the legacy of those who died at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Moreover, it stands in tribute to the ongoing peace between the United States and its closest allies, Great Britain and Canada. Visitors can take in the surrounding views from the observation deck, take a guided tour of the memorial, or check out one of the many exhibits to learn more about the great battle and the lasting peace that followed.
Photo Courtesy NPS
David Berger National Memorial: This memorial commemorates a somber yet important story. David Berger was an American/Israeli citizen who was one of 11 murdered during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. The David Berger National Memorial — a sculpture created by renowned Cleveland artist David E. Davis — stands in his memory, the athletes killed, and all who are still fighting against and facing anti-semitism worldwide. This destination is a vital stop for all citizens to be reminded of a dark history to ensure a brighter future.
Photo Courtesy NPS/Beth Rush
National Veterans Memorial Museum: This memorial is rightly called “one of a kind!” It is the first dedicated to all veterans of all conflicts, and the museum tells the stories of soldiers who fought and died from the Revolutionary War to the present day. There is no other spot like it in the U.S. that describes the broad swath of tales from the front lines, strategy rooms, and cockpits of America’s fighting men and women. This memorial can’t be missed for visitors interested in military history or those who simply want to pay homage to those who have dedicated their lives to protecting their country.
Photo Courtesy U.S. Department of Defense
Kol Israel Foundation: This site is the first Holocaust Memorial dedicated on American soil. It was spearheaded by a group of survivors who settled in the Cleveland area after the war and formed the Kol Israel. According to the official Kol Israel Foundation website, the 17-foot-tall obelisk stands as a place of solemn remembrance of the 6 million Jewish lives lost during the Nazi occupation of Europe and “serves as a permanent reminder of how intolerance, hate, and racism can lead to genocide.” This memorial is a solemn place but a necessary one on reflection, honor, and instruction for a more tolerant, peaceful future.
Photo Courtesy Kol Israel Foundation
