• Equestrian Lifestyle
    • History
    • My Life
    • Farm Life
  • Equestrian Style
    • Makeup
    • Fashion
  • Equestrian Family
    • Twins
  • Equestrian Care
    • Relaxing
    • Recipes
    • Fitness
  • An Equestrian Life

  • Riding
    • Trail Rides
    • F#
    • Vintage
    • Saint Simeon: “Pony Man”
  • Reviews
    • Apparel
    • Horse Tack
    • Movies
  • Shop
  • About

An Equestrian Life

Virginia
/
August 28, 2017

Warrenton Old Jail Museum

I’ve been very interested in travel recently, but it made me start thinking – what about being a tourist in my own area? It seems pretty convenient since I’m already in the area. I decided to check out a local museum that I didn’t even know was here, despite walking past it several times. 

We investigated, and luckily someone was walking out of it when we approached or we would have missed it again. 

Old Town Jail

“But, what’s around THAT corner!?”

We were greeted immediately by a very friendly woman, who enthusiastically told us the history of the jail. Once she went over the basics, we were handed a map and left to self-tour. 

The old jail is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a building that used to be a jail, turned into a museum. The original building was built in 1808 and consisted of four cells. The cells are approximately 14 by 14 each, and each could hold up to 40 prisoners. Just hearing that made me feel claustrophobic. The cells each had a bucket of water and a bucket for waste. The two on the upper levels were a slight upgrade because they actually had floors. The ones below were just dirt. 

Eventually, they decided that was a bit cramped, so they built a second building and converted the first into a home for the jailer. The prisoners would come right down the hallway of the house to reach the prison behind. 

Warrenton Virginia

First a cell, then a kitchen. The wife of the jailer was paid to feed the prisoners.

The family must have been tired of having to go past prisoners to access their house, and a second tiny staircase was put in behind the kitchen. 

window

Dave contemplates by the window.

In the second building, the cells were still set up, and there were some manikins for extra creepiness. Behind the cells, the exercise yard… and the ending for some prisoners. 

 

gallows

A replica of the gallows in the back courtyard. We were told that for every hanging a new one would be built, enabling the prisoners to hear their own gallows being built.

For those with morbid curiosity, there was a display of murder and crime weapons. It was horrifying to see that a tiny pocket knife included among them. They also discribed some of the more infamous crimes and punishments, including one married man who ran away with a young girl. After a few days, he was caught and brought back, but apparently, adultry angered the citizens so much, they stormed the jail and had him hung immediately. 

Other than the history of the jail, they had information about the history of Warrenton and Fauquier County. Virginia was a battleground during the Civil War, and the town of Warrenton switched back and forth many times. Each time, the jail held soldiers of the opposite army. 

I thought it was especially neat that they had a paint sample from the jail house walls analyzed. They displayed the results, with approximate years and ingredients of the paints, and found smoke from a fire. There was a big fire in Warrenton in 1905, and they believe the smoke in the paint is from it. 

If you’re in Warrenton, the Old Jail is definitely worth a visit! It takes about a half hour, maybe a full hour if you read everything, and it’s only $3.50, so not exactly a bank-breaker. I also put myself on the email list to hear about ghost tours when they start up. Although I am a complete skeptic, it could be fun! 

 

 

0 Comments
Share

You May Also Like

May 16, 2017

Spring Gold Cup

November 7, 2016

Hiking in the Shenandoah

April 25, 2015

Neighborhood Hike, Potluck, and Party

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Previous Post
Fall Fun
Next Post
The Stages of Going to the Gym
Hi There, I’m

Hi There, I’m

courtney

equestrian, mother of three, wife, business owner, blogger, creater.

Follow on Instagram

…
Current Location

Current Location

horse country
Middleburg, VA

Photography

Horses

Family

Categories

Latest Products

lets shop
product_title_1

Vintage Horse Illustration Hardcover Journal

product_title_2

Adult Amateur Support Crew T-Shirt

The Latest Video

The Latest Video The Latest Video

Join me on a typical day at the barn!

Subscribe to My Channel

Where I Shop

my favorites

Recent Posts

  • close up of zebra print

    Zebra Print is the Secret to a Fly Free Horse

    March 26, 2023
  • Babies Into Little Boys

    March 20, 2023
  • How to Get Started With Horses

    March 17, 2023

Some of my links may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no charge to you. Thank you for clicking them as it really helps support this site!

…
  • Home
  • About

Copyright © 2023 An Equestrian Life. All Rights Reserved.Site Powered by Pix & Hue.