Old New Gate Prison and Copper Mine Museum in East Granby, CT

Описание: Guest: Morgan Bengel, Museum Site Manager at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine Museum

The area that became New-Gate Prison was originally used as a copper mine in 1705. As the copper became more scarce, it was transformed into a prison in 1773, as this was felt a more humane punishment than the branding, whipping and cutting off of ears that were used as punishments for various serious crimes. It served in that capacity until 1827; it was taken over by the State of Connecticut in 1968, having served as a local tourist attraction until then.

As a prison, it was not a pleasant place to be in. It was very damp and very dark, and was difficult to hear anything. Prisoners included both men and women, and included counterfeiters, murderers, Royalists, and similar types. Sentences ranged from months to years. Prisoners were often chained to their work areas. The food was not nutritious, and not sufficient in quantity. Excavations have disclosed, for example, butchering and re-use of bones to a degree similar to those in starvation-ravaged sites such as the Donner Party's.

By the time the prison shut down in 1827, the state had expanded its operations and employed inmates as shoemakers, coopers, blacksmiths, wagon makers, cooks, and basket makers. Those without trade skills dug stone, leveled the ground, or made other improvements to the prison grounds.

Discussion then turned to excavation work in 1981 and 2013. The links below are recommended, especially the Virtual Tour of the caverns.

For a virtual tour of the prison, please visit https://www.capturepics.com/3d-model/...
For a history of the prison, please visit https://connecticuthistory.org/notori...
To access the Old New-Gate Prison and Museum website, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/ECD-OldNewGate

To learn more about FOSA, please visit our website - https://www.fosa-ct.org/