Preserving the Old Jail

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Dr. Anne Holt

Community leaders like Dr. Anne Holt saved the jail from decay and the forgetfulness of public memory when they first took notice of the empty building in 2010.  A passionate historian and active member of Monticello’s Main Street organization, Anne petitioned the Jefferson County board ofcommissioners to lease the building to Main Street for one dollar per year for the next twenty-five years.  From the beginning, their vision was to use the space as a local history museum to enrich the lives of both residents and visitors.

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Cleaning up the jail

With the county’s consent, Main Street began the process of turning the facility into a local history museum.  Members and interested citizens removed years of clutter and dust out to prepare the building for preservation work.  With state-awarded grants, they were able to install new windows and doors, a new roof, and temperature and humidity control units.  Further efforts, like painting the downstairs interior and preserving the women’s building, will begin as soon as funds become available.

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Peeling graffiti

Volunteers are particularly eager to preserve of the graffiti recorded on the painted walls of the main cellblock.  Messages and images created by inmates offer a unique perspective of life in the jailhouse, but the paint is fragile and peeling with age. Saving the record from further damage has proven difficult.  As of now, the walls are unprotected and the delicate nature of the paint restricts the number of visitors allowed to view the cells at one time.  Project leaders are still in consultation to determine the best way of preserving the fragile inscriptions.  Fixatives and protective shields seem to be the most reasonable options available.  In the meantime, professional photographers have captured digitally each section of the walls, virtually preserving them as long as possible. 

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General Electric stove

The museum has a small collection of objects related to domestic life in the jail. Items such as this stove came from generous donors, some of whom lived in the jail as children of the sheriff or deputy.  The collection currently includes an iron bedframe, a couch with matching chairs, and a coffee table, but it has plenty of room to grow.  The exhibit will eventually need items such as mattresses, linens, curtains, and rugs to recreate a convincing domestic scene.  Upstairs, at least once cell in the main cellblock will need pallets and blankets to illustrate the living conditions for inmates. 

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The basement

The jail’s basement was the commonly used as storage and as the home of the furnace that warmed the building on chilly nights.   Museum administrators would like to convert the room into a free meeting space for education programs and community events.  The basement will also serve as temporary exhibition space for small presentations. 

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Open sign

The jail’s basement was the commonly used as storage and as the home of the furnace that warmed the building on chilly nights.   Museum administrators would like to convert the room into a free meeting space for education programs and community events.  The basement will also serve as temporary exhibition space for small presentations. 

Preservation
Preserving the Old Jail