Peeling paint, warm air and eerie feelings contradicted the sunlight bursting through the peaceful stained glass windows. I walked into the lobby of the Ohio State Reformatory, formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, where I was met with a small museum containing artifacts. A newspaper shotgun, basketball jerseys, badges and even a replica of an electric chair paint images that give visitors chills. As I walked through the damp halls, a musky sour smell crept into my nostrils, adding to the uncomfortable atmosphere. And yet, I wouldn’t have missed it.

The building of the prison began in 1886, but the facility did not open until 1896. Its architecture was a combination of Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne in hopes of a “rebirth” of the inmates according to http://www.mrps.org/

The classic movie “Shawshank Redemption” was filmed inside the reformatory. The museum had some parts of the movie sets displayed for the public to see. My favorite part of the tour was Brooks’ room because of the whole setup like the carving of the name “Brooks was here” and “so was Red.”

The reformatory had several cell blocks, each with six floors, and individual cells looking like something out of a horror movie and a beautiful chapel with actual picture frames of religious figures. The rapper Lil Wayne filmed his music video “Go DJ” for his fourth album “Tha Carter” inside of an inmate’s cell which he painted red and gold.

To see history up close enough to smell and feel was an awesome experience for my family and me, and if anyone gets an opportunity to experience the Ohio State Reformatory, it’s worth the time and cost of a  $7 student ticket for the self-guided tour additional tours and events are detailed in their website.