Held Captive

Recently our class had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee. We got to explore the grounds that contained many different artifacts and buildings collected over the years by the founder of the museum, John Rice Irwin. The museum is laid out in such a way that you actually feel as though you have traveled back in the time.

Below is a picture of the Jail Cells located beside the display barn. They were taken from the old jail located in Madisonville, TN. They date all the way back to 1874. This makes the cells 138 years old. They measure in the small size of 6ft. x 9ft. They  could house up to  four prisoners at a time. Inside were four metal bunks that would fold up during the day to give the prisoners more space, and then would fold down at night to sleep on.

If I had to go to jail today, I would feel like I am staying in a luxury cell compared to what they had to stay in many years ago. The depressing small space would make anyone want to behave.