For us? You shouldn’t have. We think living in Columbus is the greatest gift of all, but it’s actually been on the receiving end of quite a few delightful donations. From statues to parks, hospitals, and more, check out these three gifts given to the city.
Goodale Park | Thanks, doc. The city of Columbus can thank Lincoln Goodale for the 44 acres in the Victorian Village that we all know and love. In the early 1800s, Goodale advocated for more open-air spaces to combat the spread of diseases like typhoid fever, malaria, and cholera. He eventually donated the land in 1851, with a few stipulations: It must be maintained as a free public park or pleasure ground in perpetuity.
“Our Single Garment of Destiny” by Julian and Adriana Voss-Andreae stands in Washington Gladden Social Justice Park.
Photo via @explodingstove
“Our Single Garment of Destiny” sculpture | The Crane family commissioned and funded this piece, which welcomes visitors to the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park. Artists Adriana and Julian Voss-Andreae are responsible for the innovative optical-illusion design.
View of the facade of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital.
Rendering via Wexner Medical Center
OSU Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Tower | Thanks in part to a $50 million donation from the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation, Ohio State’s new hospital + education space will open in 2026. Once complete, the center will house 820 beds for inpatient care and training for future physicians and healthcare workers.
These extraordinary gifts not only add character and value to our city but also show how generosity can have a lasting impact. Do you know of another major gift given to our city? Let us know.
