As Ohio Bicentennial momentum escalates, citizens can express Buckeye devotion by purchasing traditional — or perhaps unique — bicentennial merchandise.
“Because the bicentennial anniversary transpires over a one-year period, people really look at that moment in history. Merchandise is especially significant because it indicates that you lived during that period of time,” said Rick Van Brimmer, director of Trademark and Licensing Services for Ohio State.
Publicity incurred by upcoming bicentennial events have stirred interest, spurring Ohio residents to commemorate the momentous occasion with a bicentennial keepsake, such as a simple T-shirt or Ohio bear.
“Although it’s difficult to predict sales, consumers really cherish hand-made artwork, and items such as Christmas ornaments can commemorate the occasion for years to come,” Van Brimmer said.
Ohio Statehouse Museum Shop manager, Becky Wildman, has witnessed a drastic jump of bicentennial-related sales.
“Eighty-five percent of our online sales have been strictly for bicentennial merchandise. So far, our e-store sales have jumped 500 percent, while our in-store sales have doubled,” she said.
To sell bicentennial merchandise, companies must attain the proper trademark from Ohio State Licensing. Around 60 companies are licensed, with more requesting trademark privileges every day.
“Because Ohio is a basket-collecting state, the bicentennial helped launch businesses, such as those marketing baskets,” Van Brimmer said.
Companies producing bicentennial merchandise focus their marketing entirely on a specific item. For example, the McCoy Basket Company is selling Ohio-shaped baskets with the bicentennial logo on the bottom.
Because every Ohio county is spotlighted during the bicentennial, residents can honor their roots with regionalized bicentennial merchandise. In Zanesville, Ohio, residents can purchase Ohio pottery, significant to the region.
“In Chillicothe, Ohio, a man is hand-etching crystal clocks and paperweights,” Wildman said.
Retailing for $112, crystal clocks are among the most expensive items at the Statehouse Museum Shop. Fractured antique prints indicative of the 1800s can be purchased for $49, while bicentennial throw blankets retail from $60 to $80.
However, at least one OSU student is not compelled to drop money on bicentennial merchandise.
“If it were OSU’s bicentennial, I would purchase merchandise, but I don’t care that much about the state,” said John Holland, a senior in aeronautical engineering and life-long resident of Middletown, Ohio.
The Statehouse Museum Shop will host an array of notable bicentennial contributors today. Among them, Scott Hagan will sign posters of his barn paintings, while McCoy representatives will autograph bicentennial barn banks.
Cincinnati residents Michelle Orlando and her four-year-old son sifted through the Statehouse Museum Shop Monday, searching for the perfect bicentennial item.
“We want to send something back to my son’s school to show them where’s he been,” Orlando said.
