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Old Jail Museum
2 reviews for Old Jail Museum
I'm giving the jail a 4-star rating as a tourist attraction. I'd recommend knowing the history of the area a bit before going, of course, particularly in regards to the Molly Maguires. It is interesting that this jail was still in use up until 1995, and there are a number of interesting stories surrounding the place.
The tour guides are very much hit and miss; the guide we had the first time I was here early in the spring of 2007 was EXCELLENT, and the one I had when I took my family here in September was WORTHLESS. This is the kind of attraction where the guides make the tour, particularly if you're new to Northeast PA and are less familiar with the history.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
This is a fun place to stop by which visiting Jim Thorpe. The Old Jail in a former Carbon County jail from the mid 1800's to the mid 1990's. Carbon County put it up for sale recently and a local couple bought it and run a budding museum and tour. The focus is perhaps a bit heavy on the supposed Molly Maguires who jailed here in the 1870s and the four who were executed together. The reconstructed gallows are well done, and the tour guides are well-trained and very cheery. The dungeon is appropriately scary, and the cell block has not been tampered with. The wardens apartment is not reconstructed, so you have to use your imagination....which is good for you after-all. Basically, except for the gallows, it looks like it did when it operated as a prison in 1995. A good scare for the kids. The only reason I deducted a star is because, as a teacher, I'm a bit of a stickler for historical accuracy, and I'm just not sure there isn't a bit too much myth tucked in to the tour. Still fun though. Check it out.