The Ohio State Reformatory has launched a $1 million fundraising campaign to fully restore the West Cell Block at the historic former prison. Officials with the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society said work will be done in stages over the next three to five years. To learn more about the campaign, email Ashleigh Ramey at ashleigh@mrps.org or call 419-522-2644, ext. 101.
MANSFIELD — Red and Andy never actually were locked down inside either of the two towering cell blocks at the Ohio State Reformatory during filming of “The Shawshank Redemption.”
That’s partly because the actual cell block areas of the historic prison suffered massive weather-related damage when the State of Ohio closed the facility at the end of 1990 and moved inmates to the new Mansfield Correctional Institution.
The state shut off the lights and power and had no plans for the massive gothic structure built on the city’s north side in 1896. Maintenance of the building known as “Dracula’s Castle” was not on the state’s to-do list.
So when Hollywood came calling to make “Shawshank” in 1993, the prison administration offices, prison-yard areas and some interior locations were used in the filming.
The cell scenes themselves were filmed on a sound stage erected by filmmakers at the Mansfield Commerce Center — also partly because the film’s makers wanted cells that faced inward.
Sadly, the state planned to use the wrecking ball on the old prison even as it planned to build the nearby Richland Correctional Institution, which opened in 1998.
That all changed in 1995 when the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society was formed by local historic preservationists and obtained what was left of the prison from the state. The group began a long-lasting preservation effort that continues nearly 30 years later.
“During the time the prison was closed, it sustained massive amounts of damage from being exposed to the elements,” said Ashleigh Ramey, program director at the Ohio State Reformatory.
She said there was more than $1 million in just water damage due to a building that had a failing roof, bad internal drains and no heat.
The turnaround at the 100 Reformatory Road site on Mansfield’s north side has been remarkable. It’s now a centerpiece for travel and tourism efforts in north central Ohio.
Ramey said the West Cell Block restoration, five tiers high, is the natural next step, even as plans are launched to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Shawhank’s” release.
“The West Cell Block of the Ohio State Reformatory was completed in 1896, when we welcomed our first 150 inmates. Restoration of the cell block is a massive undertaking, not only in terms of financial requirements, but also time,” she said.
“We will be installing windows, securing the area, fitting the space for HVAC, making structural repairs, replacing fixtures and repainting the entire space,” Ramey said.
The West Cell Block is comprised of stone, steel and mortar, making it an easier project than the all-steel East Cell Block, which holds the record for the world’s largest free-standing cell block at six tiers high.
“It will be easier to heat and keep cool and keep in good function,” she said.
Ramey said the goal is to make the West Cell Block look like it did in the 1930s and 1940s, “when we were just coming out of reformatory status.”
OSR is seeking sponsorships of individual cells beginning at $1,500, as well as corporate sponsorships.
Individual sponsors will receive a plaque with their name in their chosen cell, an annual family plus membership, eight free self-guided tour tickets to give to friends/guests, and recognition on a large donor board as you enter the cell block.
Corporate sponsorships are available, starting at $10,000.
Ramey said corporate sponsors receive “a ton of great perks,” including sponsorship of a 1st tier (ground level) cell, annual family memberships for their employees, self-guided tour tickets, a plaque with their name and company logo in the cell, tiered recognition on a large donor display at the entrance of the cell block, discounts of space rentals in the building, discounts on tickets for OSR’ annual gala, and one free private guided tour per year.
“Of course, everyone gets the satisfaction in knowing that you helped preserve and restore this historically significant local structure,” Ramey said.
Individual donors are also encouraged to participate with whatever amount they care to contribute. It can be done online by clicking here.
