Episode 195: Old Newgate Prison & Copper Mine

In 1705 a group of colonists in Simsbury, Connecticut founded a copper mine, which the Connecticut General Assembly purchased and turned into a prison in 1773.

How did an old copper mine function as a prison?

Morgan Bengel, a Museum Assistant at the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine, a Connecticut State Historic Site, helps us investigate both the history of early American mining and the history of early American prisons by taking us on a tour of the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby, Connecticut.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

Morgan Bengel, a Museum Assistant at the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine Connecticut State Historic Site, offers us a look at both the history of early American mining and the history of early American prisons by taking us on a tour of the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby, Connecticut.

During our exploration, Morgan reveals the history of the founding and operation of the Simsbury, Connecticut copper mine; Why the colony of Connecticut purchased the old Simsbury Copper Mine and turned its tunnels into a prison; And, details about the daily lives and experiences of those who served time in the Old Newgate Prison between 1773 and 1827.

What You’ll Discover

  • History of the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine
  • Copper deposits in colonial Connecticut
  • Establishing a copper mine in colonial America
  • 18th-century mining techniques
  • Miners of the Simsbury Copper Mines
  • Transition of Simsbury Copper Mines into the Newgate Prison
  • Establishment of colonial jails
  • Crime in colonial Connecticut
  • Why turn a mine into a prison
  • Prison cells and living conditions at Newgate
  • Daily life for Newgate prisoners
  • Connecticut and Newgate as a revolutionary prison
  • Comparing prison with debtors’ prison
  • What happened to prisoners after release
  • How to tour the Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine historic site

 

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Sponsor Links

Complementary Episodes

 

Time Warp PlainTime Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if Connecticut had not transformed the Simsbury Copper Mine into a prison? Would the history of crime and punishment in Connecticut have evolved differently? Would there have been any impact on early Americans’ attitudes toward crime and punishment elsewhere in the young United States?


Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion?

Get in Touch! Send me an e-mail, tweet, or leave a comment.

 

Subscribe!

Enjoy the Podcast?

Why Not Subscribe?

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Google Podcasts | Listen to Stitcher

Ratings & Reviews

If you enjoy this podcast, please give it a rating and review.

Positive ratings and reviews help bring Ben Franklin's World to the attention of other history lovers who may not be aware of our show

Click here to rate & review on iTunes | Click here to rate & review on Stitcher

More from this show

Subscribe