Old New-Gate Prison Readies Season Opening

EAST GRANBY, CT — Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine, the nationally recognized East Granby site known as the first chartered copper mine in early America and the country’s first state prison, is set to reopen for the season on May 8.

According to the museum, the site will be open Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during its regular May-through-October operating season. Admission is listed at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for youth ages 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and younger and active military.

The reopening comes as Old New-Gate also announced preservation work at the site. Officials said a critical retaining wall on the west side of the prison yard is being rebuilt with support from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures grant program.

According to the museum, the wall had been supported by cribbing for years and is now being carefully rebuilt by Stone & Lime Imports. Officials said future updates are expected, including information tied to the archaeological side of the project.

Old New-Gate has also been promoting upcoming events ahead of the season opening, including an April 25 stop on the Farmington Valley Heritage Network’s annual bus tour.

Today, the East Granby museum includes a visitor center, prison yard, historic ruins and structures, and the abandoned copper mine, where visitors can take public tours. The site also features rotating exhibits from Community Partners in Action’s Prison Arts Program and the Connecticut Hall of Change, which recognizes formerly incarcerated people for contributions to their communities.