THE OHIO STATE REFORMATORY

 1896-1910
A Visual Tour

Thank you for joining us on a recent self-guided tour of what remains of this historic structure, long famous for the murder and mayhem of its incarcerated residents and most recently for its prominent role in the popular movie, Shawshank Redemption.

Sue (right) is contemplating the "Parole Board Room" of the Shawshank movie which in real life was part of the assistant warden's living quarters.

These enactors were sharing the history of the period involving embalming and display of a recently deceased family member as it likely happened in the warden's family living quarters.  The display of flowers served the "very useful" purpose of masking any offensive odors.

This area was for VIP housing.  We were reminded travel took longer in the early days of the prison's history and accommodations for guests were few and far between, hence their inclusion in the building.  The platform was used for entertaining productions.

 The prison chapel.

 

Sue crouches to ponder all five tiers of the East range of cells, the world's largest indoor steel cell block.

This is the view along the opposite side of the East range.  The device in her left hand allows visitors to listen to explanations of tour features.

An inmate's view; not likely to be a lady however.

The library.

A segment of the solitary confinement range.

*          *          *

We tip our hat to Becky McKinnell, vice president of the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, for her gracious help in cutline information.  Any errors most assuredly are mine.  Thanks also to Google for the night, file photo of the main entrance which led our presentation.

Click Here  for earlier stories on the OSR in Fogeyisms.
Click Here  for the preservation society's web page.