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Old New-Gate Prison

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Events Calendar

  

 

Directions

  
   

Originally founded as a copper mine in the early 1700's. 
NewGate was first used as a prison to house Tories and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. It was the first State Prison in America. 
The Prison also held Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. 
In 1976 New-Gate Prison was declared a National Historic
Landmark. Old New-Gate Prison is one of the leading tourist attractions in Connecticut.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine
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Special exhibits:        Artwork from the permanent collection of Prison Arts Program

- Aug 7-8     Meet the Guards of New-Gate Prison
                             Learn about their duties and see a black powder musket demonstration.

- Aug 21-22  Nails Made Here
                             Hear the sounds of a blacksmith making nails and learn how the prisoners worked to earn                              their keep.

- Aug 29       Welcome to Viets Tavern
                             Visit the c. 1760 unrestored home of John Viets, first prison warden.

- Sept 4        Oxen At Work
   (raindate                Watch a team of Devon oxen demonstrate the skills needed to haul heavy stones  used to     the 5th)                  build the prison walls and buildings.

- Sept 19      The Rev. Simeon Baxter Exhorts Fellow Prisoners
                              At 2p.m. hear a 21th century minister preach the sermon the Tory minister gave at the                               prison in 1781. 

- Sept 25      Barrels Made Here
  (raindate                Watch a cooper show how the prisoners here would have made barrels for resale to the  
   26th)                     offset prison expenses.                

- Sept 26      Welcome to Viets Tavern
                              Visit the c. 1760 unrestored home of John Viets, first prison warden. 

- Oct 13        “The Search for the New-Gate Prison Cemetery”
                              At 11 a.m. hear State Archaeologist Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni talk about the search for the                               prison cemetery 

- Oct 24        Welcome to Viets Tavern
                              Visit the c. 1760 unrestored home of John Viets, first prison warden.

 
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

For additional information please call:  860-653-3563

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Directions:  Take exit 40 off I-91, heading West on Rt. 20. Proceed for approx. 8 miles until you come to the intersection of Rt. 187 & 20. Continue up the hill, take a right at the signal light.  Head North on Newgate Road for 2.3 miles, Olde New-Gate Prison is on the left. Newgate_sign.gif (9594 bytes)

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