MANSFIELD– The Ohio State Reformatory has put into motion a five- to six-year renovation plan to turn part of the prison into the Shawshank Museum.
The wing, will display many items from “The Shawshank Redemption.”
“A lot of our items have been donated from members of the set who had these items in boxes for 20 years,” said Paul Smith, executive director at OSR. “It’s going to be one heck of a display.”
The movie, based on a Stephen King novel, has become a cultural phenomenon since it was made in Mansfield in 1994. Well received when it was released, it has grown in popularity on cable TV. A cottage industry has sprung up around it, including tourist attractions at OSR and the Shawshank Trail.
Items on display at OSR include the hat worn by Morgan Freeman in his depiction of Red, and a safe used in the movie. Smith said the new Shawshank Museum will be 2,000 square feet and will be set up in the living quarters of the prison warden.
The half-decade renovation plan has come after water damage forced the museum’s repairs. Smith said the warden’s office office will be set up to mirror how it was framed in the movie.
“We are going to really step on the gas to get it finished by June 1, 2017, the opening of our main tourist season.”
OSR is in the middle of phase one of the renovation plan, which includes an electric chair OSR used as far back as 1896. Smith said the exhibits and the rooms are still available for public viewing during the renovations.
In 2015, Gov. John Kasich declared OSR a state correction facility. This recognition allows the museum to be recognized with other state penitentiaries and receive historical items though donations.
Smith hopes the new items and museums will attract an annual 200,000 guests. Last year OSR had 150,000 visitors. OSR will also open its doors seven days a week year-round later on in the renovation process.
“We hope to offer a more emotional experience. We had limited space before; we hope to give them a treat.”
