Old Washington County Jail - South Kingstown, RI - Retired Prisons on Waymarking.com

In South Kingstown, near the entrance to the University of Rhode Island, is this building, currently a historical museum, that once was the jail for Washington County.

The building is on the south side of Rhode Island Route 138, a little west of the intersection of Route 138 and Upper College Road. At this intersection is also a sign for the University of Rhode Island.

The building is a beautiful 2 story stone structure with a wooden porch and window panes, painted brick red and grey. Off the back is an addition also made of stone.

There is a detailed history of the building on the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society web site. In short, the wooden 2 story building was built on this location in 1792. In 1803, a wooden cell block addition was built, and in 1858, the current stone cell block addition was built. In 1861, the wooden jailer's residence was torn down and the current stone structure was built.

By 1956, Rhode Island closed the four county jails. The building was eventually purchased by the historical society for $1 in 1960. Recent renovations restored the building to be closer in appearance to the old jail. See the web site for more details and a Youtube video.

Sources:

Pettaquamscutt Historical Society (Old Washington Co. Jail):
(visit link)

Preserve Rhode Island (Old Washington Co. Jail):
(visit link)

Address: 2636 Kingstown Road South Kingstown, RI United States of America 02881 Open to the public: Yes Hours: The museum is open Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm Fees?: $5.00 adults / $3.00 seniors and students / 12 and under free. Web link: Not listed

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