The Old Jail Museum Jim Thorpe, PA
and can be seen to this day.
Why Visit: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building served as the Carbon County Jail from 1871 until 1995. The building features 27 original cells and the original warden’s living and dining rooms. The second floor has women’s cells, and the basement dungeon contains 16 solitary confinement cells.
Unique Exhibit: The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s. On June 21, 1877 the men were hanged at the same time on gallows erected inside the Old Jail Museum cellblock.
Don’t Miss: The handprint on the wall of cell 17. Inmate Alexander Campbell made a handprint in his cell prior to his hanging in 1879 to, “remain as proof of my innocence." Past wardens had the handprint washed, painted and even removed that part of the wall, but the mysterious handprint always returned
On the Trail of History in Columbia County, NY Columbia County, NY has over 50 historic sites within its borders. Perhaps the most notable is the Martin Van Buren National Historic site also known as Lindenwald. The estate was the retirement home of Kinderhook, NY’s native son and the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren. Presumably President Van Buren is credited for the origin of “okay” as a sign of approval as his documents were signed “O.K.” He is also one of only two Presidents to serve as Vice President and Secretary of
Owner’s Pick: Ghost Tours of the museum Annual Visitors: Over 21,000 Time to Allow: 60 to 90 minutes www.theoldjailmuseum.com
State. House tours of the estate are given seasonally and the grounds connect to another noteworthy landmark, the Luykas Van Alen property. The Van Alen property is an outstanding example of early Dutch architecture and tours are given seasonally. Other political luminaries from Columbia County include Robert R. Livingston, a drafter of the Declaration of Independence and Minister to France under the Thomas Jefferson Presidency. The Livingston family homestead, Clermont, is situated on the banks of the Hudson River and boasts spec-