Known by some as the historic prison, recognized by others as the site of the classic film, The Shawshank Redemption, the Ohio State Reformatory gained another distinguishable characteristic on Sunday as the host of the First Annual Historic Ohio State Reformatory Car Show.
Just outside the walls of the legendary building, hundreds of participants parked their vehicles for display. All makes and models were welcomed with the featured marquee as the Volkswagen.
Because the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization, this event was created to help boost fundraising efforts. Program Director Mary Kennard explained, “We’re a nonprofit and our missions are our restorations and preservations.”
Some of the current restoration projects include restoring the cell windows and bars outside of the windows.
“We had a car show a few years ago because Executive Director Paul Smith, who was on the board at the time, is a big car enthusiast. He restores vintage Volkswagens and Porsches himself, so even though this a car show for all vintage, retro, and modern, Volkswagen is the featured marquee. That’s his favorite,” stated Kennard.
The date is already set for the second annual car show next year.
Chuck Schoonover drove his bright green ’68 Dodge Coronet to the historic landmark for display. “It’s my baby,” he said, in reference to his vehicle, which he has worked on for eight years now.
The Reformatory car show is just one of many he’s participated in this summer. “I’ve been making my rounds,” stated Schoonover.
In addition to the car show, the Reformatory hosted tours in the facility on Sunday, in which spectators could learn about the prison’s history in-depth.
