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Missouri State Penitentiary Museum: Echoes of Incarceration

Explore the chilling history of the Missouri State Penitentiary, once the 'bloodiest 47 acres,' through gripping exhibits and artifacts.

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Delve into the history of the Missouri State Penitentiary, the 'bloodiest 47 acres in America,' at the on-site museum. Explore exhibits featuring prison memorabilia, a replica cell, and displays detailing the harsh realities of life behind bars for 168 years.

A brief summary to Missouri State Penitentiary Museum

Local tips

  • Admission to the museum is $2 per person, but it's free if you purchase a tour of the penitentiary.
  • Make reservations for groups of 10 or more.
  • The museum is located in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Missouri State Penitentiary Museum is located at 700 E Capitol Ave, in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House, across Capitol Avenue from the penitentiary. If you are already visiting the Missouri State Penitentiary, simply walk across the street to reach the museum.

  • Public Transport

    Board the Jefferson City Public Transit bus that goes towards the Missouri State Penitentiary. Check the bus schedule for the latest timings. The ride will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Get off at the stop closest to Lafayette St. From there, walk west on Lafayette St for about 5 minutes to reach the Missouri State Penitentiary Museum. A single ride on Jefferson City Public Transit costs $1.00.

  • Driving

    The Missouri State Penitentiary Museum is located at 700 E Capitol Ave, Jefferson City. From downtown Jefferson City, drive east on E Capitol Ave. The Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House will be on your right. Limited on-street parking is available on Capitol Avenue and Lafayette Street. Metered parking costs $0.75/hr for the first and second hour, and $1.00/hr thereafter.

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Discover more about Missouri State Penitentiary Museum

The Missouri State Penitentiary Museum, located in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House, provides a chilling glimpse into the history of one of America's most notorious prisons. Operating from 1836 to 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River. It gained infamy for its brutal conditions and high levels of violence, earning the moniker 'the bloodiest 47 acres in America' by Time Magazine in 1967. The museum's exhibits showcase various aspects of prison life, including prison industries, contract labor, and the constant struggle for control within the walls. Visitors can view MSP memorabilia and a replica cell that demonstrates the living conditions. Displays also feature items on loan from former Deputy Warden Mark Schreiber. The museum provides additional historical context to the penitentiary tours, offering insights into the lives of both inmates and staff. The MSP held approximately 5,000 inmates at its peak and housed some infamous individuals, including boxer Sonny Liston, James Earl Ray (the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr.), and gangster Pretty Boy Floyd. Thirty-nine prisoners were executed in the penitentiary's gas chamber from 1938 to 1965. The last execution at the MSP was in 1989 when inmate George 'Tiny' Mercer was executed by lethal injection in the disused gas chamber. The Missouri State Penitentiary Museum is wheelchair accessible.

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