Ohio State School for the Blind Parent/Teacher/Staff Foundation

04/17/2026

03/30/2026

This massive building on Parsons Ave. is more than 150 years old – and standing proudly ➡️

This photo shows the former Ohio State School for the Blind, which opened here on May 21, 1874.

It was a major upgrade for Ohio’s visually impaired students. Ohio opened the country's first school for the blind in 1837, but the original facility could only support 60 at a time – the new building could teach more than 250.

Construction began in 1869 during a major wave of public building projects under Governor Rutherford B. Hayes. Due to an “odd scarcity of construction workers”, the building took longer than expected to complete, but greatly expanded services when it finally opened in 1874.

Built mostly of sandstone, the building features a mansard roof and twin towers flanking a central section that was once topped by a tall belfry. One of the tallest spires extended seven stories into the air. Some features were removed in a twentieth-century renovation, but much of its character remains intact.

By 1953, the School for the Blind moved to Clintonville, and this building was repurposed for state offices. By the late 1980s, the building was all but vacant, with only a few offices still in use.

In 2000, the city began intense renovations so Columbus Public Health could take over the building. The project was delayed when a four-alarm fire struck in 2001, but employees began moving into the renovated building later that year.

Columbus Public Health remains in the historic building today, along with several other government offices.

03/12/2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Columbus Crew and Franklin County Dog Shelter teamed up to get local students ready for state testing. The Wednesday event was part of the Crew’s Stay in the Game progra…

03/11/2026

🥚🔔 We’ve got the BEEP! 🔔🥚
Students with visual impairments and their families are invited to join us for a Beeping Egg Hunt in Columbus! This fun and accessible event allows participants to locate eggs using sound—making the egg hunt exciting for everyone.

📅 Monday, March 16
⏰ 5:00–7:30 PM
📍 Ohio State School for the Blind
5220 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214

This event is open to ANY student with a visual impairment, and we would love to see you there! Come enjoy an evening of fun, community, and accessible egg hunting.

Learn more and sign up here:
https://bit.ly/ClovernookAdaptiveEvents

We hope you’ll join us! 🐣✨

01/28/2026

Ohio State School for the Blind will remain closed on Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30.

All school and residential buildings are closed. No in-person or remote classes or activities will take place.

Stay safe and warm!

Graphic reads “School Canceled – Thursday, Jan. 29, Friday, Jan. 30.” Includes a school logo with a snowy winter scene of a cabin among evergreen trees in the background.

01/27/2026

Ohio State School for the Blind will remain closed on Wednesday, January 28.

All school and residential buildings are closed. No in-person or remote classes or activities will take place.

Stay safe and warm!

Image Description: Graphic reads “School Canceled – Wednesday, January 28” Includes a school logo with a winter scene with snow and trees in the background.

01/23/2026

Due to inclement weather, Ohio State School for the Blind is canceled on Monday, Jan. 26.

All school and residential buildings are closed. No in-person or remote classes or activities will take place.

Stay safe and warm!

Graphic reads “School Canceled – Monday, Jan. 26.” Includes a school logo with snowflakes in the background.

01/16/2026

ODBES would like to invite you to the community forum!
This session will be held on Zoom & recorded. Participating in the event constitutes consent to record. The recording will be archived online through ODBES visual and auditory media channels.

Presentation and or interpretation in ASL, English, and Spanish. Other accommodations, including World Language, need to be received by Friday 1/23/2026.

Announcements and Agenda to be published on 1/26/2026

Goals of the Community Forums:
- Share Information
- Build Partnerships
- Allow Space for Community Comments

Community Comments:
Any stakeholder may requests to be added on the agenda. Requests to speak are due on Friday 1/23/2026. 5-minutes allotted per person per meeting.

Questions, comments, and requests to comment: Lynda McChesney, [email protected].