Old New-Gate Prison

Old New-Gate Prison. Established in 1773 within a repurposed copper mine in East Granby, Connecticut, it represents one of the first state prisons in the United States. Initially intended for serious offenders, its role expanded dramatically during the American Revolutionary War to hold Loyalist prisoners of war and later Tories. The site's notorious reputation stems from its harsh subterranean conditions and its unique dual function as both a penal institution and a mineral extraction operation.

History

The site's history begins with the discovery of copper ore in the early 18th century, leading to the establishment of the Granby Copper Mines prior to 1740. After the mine proved unprofitable, the Connecticut General Assembly authorized its conversion into a prison in 1773, selecting it for its presumed inescapability. During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress and Connecticut authorities used it extensively to incarcerate captured British Army soldiers, Hessian mercenaries, and American sympathizers to the British Crown. Following the war, it resumed its function as a state prison until 1827, when inmates were transferred to the newly constructed Wethersfield State Prison. The facility then fell into disuse and ruin for nearly a century before preservation efforts began.

Architecture and layout

The prison complex was centered around the vertical shaft of the original copper mine, which descended approximately 25 feet into bedrock. The primary holding area was a cavernous, dank underground chamber where prisoners were chained. Above ground, the site featured wooden barracks for guards, a blacksmith shop, and various outbuildings enclosed by a high palisade fence. A guardhouse controlled access to the mine shaft, which was covered by a heavy trapdoor. Later additions included surface-level cell blocks to alleviate the brutal conditions below. The architecture was fundamentally utilitarian, designed for maximum security with minimal comfort, leveraging the natural geology of the New England landscape for confinement.

Notable inmates and events

The prison held a variety of notable figures, particularly during the war. Among them was John Hinson, a prominent Loyalist from Poughkeepsie. Perhaps the most famous inmate was John Watson of the King's American Regiment, who was captured after a skirmish in Westchester County. The prison was also the scene of numerous escape attempts, the most famous being the 1781 mass escape led by Stephen Burroughs, a notorious forger and impostor. Another significant event was a prisoner uprising in 1776, which was brutally suppressed by guards under the command of Captain John Viets, the first warden.

Operation as a copper mine

Prior to its penal use, the site was an active, though struggling, copper mining operation. The mine was worked using primitive tools and gunpowder for blasting, following veins of copper sulfate minerals like chalcopyrite. Operations were financially troubled, partly due to the poor quality of the ore and the technical challenges of dewatering the deep shafts. While imprisoned, some inmates were forced to labor in the mine, attempting to revive its commercial viability for the state. This penal labor system anticipated later 19th-century practices but yielded little profitable metal, cementing the site's primary identity as a place of punishment rather than industry.

Preservation and museum

After decades of abandonment, the site was acquired by the Connecticut Historical Society in the early 20th century. In 1968, it was designated a National Historic Landmark for its significance in penology and American Revolutionary War history. Today, the site is managed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development as New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine and is open as a seasonal museum. Visitors can descend into the historic mine shafts, view archaeological remains of the prison buildings, and see exhibits on colonial justice. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a featured site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.

Category:Defunct prisons in Connecticut Category:National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut Category:Museums in Hartford County, Connecticut Category:American Revolutionary War prisons