The Old Prison Museum is also known by other names such as the Old Jail Museum and the Old Montana Prison. Listed on the National Historic Register, the museum was built in 1871 and was originally named the Montana Territorial Prison. One of its most famous inmates was a member of the Wild Bunch led by the notorious Butch Cassidy. The museum closed down in the 1970?s.
Tours of the museum would include a visit in the eerie Cell House as well as explorations of the museum?s many slide bar cells. Last but not the least is the Maximum Security?s black box. One of the most interesting exhibits at the museum is the Prison Life photo area, which allows visitors to have their photos taken among intimidating iron gates and turreted stone towers together with a backdrop of the prison?s galloping gallows. Also worth checking out are the artwork made by the prison?s former inmates and weapons that the inmates were able to fashion using a simple array of tools and kitchen forks.
Tours are usually accompanied with pamphlets for visitors to have a keener understanding of prison life in those times.
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