Overview
Announcements:
*Old New-Gate is open for the season. Check out the Plan Your Visit page for hours / admission. Check out the Events & Programs page for special events throughout the season.
Reserve your tickets here
*Old New-Gate Recieved Federal Grant Funding to Preserve Viets Tavern
We have recieved $750,000 from the National Park Service through the Semiquincentennial Grant funding to rehabilitate Viets Tavern, with the goal of opening it for public use. The Tavern was home to Capt. John Viets, New-Gate's first warden and is significant as a contributing structures to our Nation's first state prison. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, check out the virtual tour of the Tavern.
We are honored to accept funding from the Save America's Treasure grant program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, and administered by the National Park Service . This grant will allow us to stabilize / preserve the four-story Cell Block (1824) and retaining wall, ultimately allowing greater access of the site. Specific details regarding the stabilization are yet to be determined, but if you have any questions, please reach out to Curator Morgan Bengel at Morgan.Bengel@ct.gov.
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Site Significance
Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine is nationally recognized as the first chartered copper mine and first state prison in early America. As a museum we strive to engage with historic and contemporary issues through the exploration and discovery of the site as a copper mine, prison, and tourist attraction.
Old New-Gate also houses the first ever Re-entry Hall of Change – a place to honor formerly incarcerated men and women who have made a great positive impact in their communities.
Whether you are looking to discover a piece of Connecticut’s rich history, or to think deeply about the nature of crime and punishment; to explore 75 feet below the surface through the dark and winding paths of the old copper mine, or simply to make memories with loved ones, your authentic experience at Old New-Gate awaits.
