|
|
| Museum Plans Set for Prison Site |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/20/2001 |
|
Sing Sing still operates on the shores of the Hudson River - minus the striped suits and death house. New York officials and residents are hoping to capitalize on that notoriety with a novel museum proposed for the site of the prison. Plans call for an exhibit hall just outside the prison walls and the opening of Sing Sing's original cell block, now an eerie, roofless ruin of weathered stone and rusted bars. State prison administrators caution that details of the proposal still need to be worked out, but officials have been receptive. Sing Sing opened a few years after a group of inmates was dropped off on the shore of the Hudson River in 1825 and told to mine the stones around them to build the prison that would keep them. The surrounding Westchester County community has historically been ambivalent about the attention. The village changed its name from Sing Sing to Ossining when it incorporated a century ago, in part to differentiate local manufactured goods from prison-made products. Ossining village mayor Tom Cambariere says a museum would allow locals to capitalize on Sing Sing's fame. Under the proposal spearheaded by the Ossining Heritage Area Tourism Committee, the museum would be housed in what is now a maintenance garage just outside the prison walls. Exhibits would touch on the history of America's penal system 'as seen through the lens of Sing Sing,'' including prison reforms from the just-completed century. Supporters also want to get Sing Sing's original electric chair, currently on loan to the Newseum in Arlington, Va. The committee wants to fix up just one end of the block as it was, complete with cramped stone cells. Under the proposed plan, tourists would be able to walk under watch towers to the cell block, an area now within the security perimeter. Perimeter fences garlanded with coils of razor wire will have to be moved. New solid walls will need to go up between inmates and tourists for security. There are fire exits to consider, wheelchair access. The list goes on. The state Department of Correctional Services, while supportive of the concept, will pay for none of this. The committee hopes to raise the estimated $8 million needed from state and local government sources. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think