Original 1800s Jailhouse Gates Back On Display In New Hope Borough

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA — A set of iron gates, once used to detain prisoners inside the New Hope Borough Hall and Jail, are back on public display on South Main Street after a more than 20-year absence.

Dating to 1839, the gates confined prisoners inside the former borough hall and police station, now the New Hope Borough Visitor's Center. When the jail outlived its usefulness, the gates were placed on public display in a pocket park next to the building.

The gates, which had been previously displayed in a wooden frame, were knocked down in a storm a little more than two decades ago, placed in storage and were largely forgotten.

Now, thanks to the efforts of New Hope Borough Parks and Recreation Board, the gates have been dusted off and returned to public display at the pocket park as a conversation piece and a place to catch a photographic memory of historic New Hope.

"I've always had it in my head that they should be up and on display," said Parks and Recreation Board Chairperson Beth Hasher, who made it her mission to make it happen. "We figured out we could do it with our budget so we found a contractor - Bob Cwener - who installed the gates at a very reasonable price and with steel footers so these things aren't going anywhere. They are very solid.

A plaque gives the history of the New Hope Borough Hall and Jail at the New Hope Visitors Center. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

"We're thrilled they are back," said Hasher of the gates. "It's pretty cool that these gates have been around since 1839 and they still have their original padlocks. They make for a great conversation piece," she added. "They also make for a great photo op."

Speaking of photo ops, visitors and locals are encouraged to post their pictures next to the gates on Instagram @jailgatesofnewhope or on the New Hope Park and Recreation Facebook page.

"Be creative!" said Hasher.

The historic gates. (New Hope Borough)