The Old Stone Jail Museum was built in 1828, designed by General John Hartwell Cocke and built by John G. Hughes. The early minutes of the County Court indicate that a “sufficient Gaol” was needed. In 1963 the “Gaol” was opened as the museum for the permanent collection of Fluvanna historical artifacts.
It took about two years to build the jail. Itwas built in the Palladian style of architecture, with a balanced, symmetrical front,arch over the door, and mouse-tooth dentil brickwork above the stonework.
The interior walls are about two inches thick. Althoughthere were a couple of successful escapes, both times the prisoners were caught soon after they escaped. One was at his mother’s house eating dinner when he was caught.
Before there was electricity, the cells would have been very dark if the shutters on the windows were closed against the cold. It could get quite hot and miserable during the summer.
The Fluvanna County jailer and the sheriff ran the jail. There were four cells, and each cell was large enough to hold several prisoners. They stopped using the jail in the 1950’s.
The museum is located at 28 Stone Jail Street, Palmyra, VA 22963. There is plenty of free parking across from the adjacent Courthouse. You can visit the jail and tour the museum inside. Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is accepted by making a donation to the institution. For more information, call (434) 589-7910.
The tour guide was not available on my visit to capture interior views.
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