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Ohio Leadership Trail Call for Submissions

An America 250-Ohio Program

Leadership in Ohio isn’t just found in the history books. It’s written into the places where people stood up, came together, and changed the course of their communities, the country, and the world. This is where people pushed back, spoke out, and refused to accept things as they were. From Indigenous council grounds and river crossings to strike lines, courtrooms, and the halls of power, Ohio’s story is full of people who changed the rules to help one another.

Ohio has a rich history of leadership that spans various fields and movements. Leaders in politics, social reform, labor, religion, environmentalism, social justice, military, and more have positioned Ohio as a central player in shaping America’s landscape. These leaders helped define the state as a creator of individuals with national and global influence. To celebrate these stories and encourage travel throughout the state, America 250-Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Travel Association, is launching a driving trail called the Ohio Leadership Trail.

This is the sixth, and final, statewide trail project launched by America 250-Ohio. It joins the Ohio Air & Space Trail, the Ohio Creativity Trail, the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail, the Ohio Innovation Trail, and the Ohio Transportation Trail. These five trails have captured the hearts and attentions of Ohioans and others, with more than 100 million impressions generated by media stories thus far.
Deadline for submission is Sept. 9, 2026.

Criteria Used for Consideration:

The scope of the Ohio Leadership Trail is to create a driving trail connecting places where visitors can learn more about leaders from, and associated with, Ohio. As this is a tourism-based project designed to encourage people to spend time in our communities and visit our museums and businesses, submitted sites must meet the following criteria. Submissions are evaluated based on their ability to meet the expectations below:

● Accessibility - Is the site open to walk-in visitors during consistent and regular hours? Is there parking? If you are relying on call-ahead access, tours must be open to the public and posted on your website with an easy booking process.

● Relevancy - Does the site interpret a story that directly relates to how an Ohio leader shaped the future of the state and the country?

● Visitor Experience - Is that story told on-site, either through regular tours open to the public or exhibits one can easily find when stopping by the site? Is there signage directing visitors to where they can experience the story? The scope of this project is to create a trail where visitors to and through Ohio can stop and spend an hour or two at each site, learning more while being engaged in the story.

Tips Before You Submit:

Before you start the submission process, consider how your site contributes to the story of how Ohio’s leaders shaped the future of the state and country. Consider the following key storylines as you shape your story.

● Ohio leaders demonstrate decision-making under pressure
● Collective action or movement-building changed the nation
● Change occurs because of Ohio leaders (policy, rights, environment, etc)
● Leadership isn't always easy; there is typically conflict, negotiation, or risk
● Leadership is a choice that ordinary people make in extraordinary and everyday moments

Questions?

To learn more, please join us for a Q&A Zoom call on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. If you plan to attend the Q&A Zoom call, you must register to receive the link. Questions can also be sent to Haley Martin (America 250-Ohio Trails & Tales Project Coordinator) at haley@ohiotravel.org or hmartin@ohiohistory.org.

A Note for CVBs:

Please forward this Call for Submission to your partners. While we have sent this Call for Submission through various channels, you have the most direct pathway to sites that may fit this trail.
1.Name of Site (Please enter each physical site separately. For example, if you are the managing organization of multiple museums, please enter each museum separately, as they will be listed on trail materials and itineraries.)
2.Site Physical Address (Address recommended for visitors using mapping and navigation devices)
3.County where your site is located
4.Website
5.General Telephone Number for Visitor Inquiries
6.Please write a brief paragraph (about 70 words) regarding how your site tells the story of an Ohio leader or a leadership story.
7.Highlights of a Visit - What are the must-see exhibits or artifacts that contribute to the Ohio leadership story?
8.As future storytelling efforts will focus on Ohio individuals, please identify the names and contributions of individuals featured in your site's interpretation, exhibits, etc. that tell a leadership story.
9.Dates/hours of Operation (Open to the Public) - Please provide seasonal variation if applicable.
10.Admission Costs
11.Recommended Time to Spend at Your Site
12.Please check whether or not you provide tools for the following accessibility issues
13.Key Primary Contact Information
14.Group Tour Contact Information
15.Marketing Contact Information
16.Public Relations Contact Information