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, New-Gate strives to engage with historical and contemporary issues through the exploration and discovery of the site as a copper mine, prison, and tourist attraction. 

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. This research website showcases the context behind and modern impact of the prison’s people and evolution. In doing so, our work bridges connections between historical punishment and current legal and incarceration practices.

This website is not the official site of Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine. To access the official site, click below. To learn more about the purpose of this site, please visit the About page.