Historic Middlesex County Jail, Haddam CT

The Middlesex County Jail in Haddam, Connecticut, is a historic stone prison that dates back to 1845. It served as the county’s principal jail for over a century, housing inmates who had more freedoms than those in other institutions—they even grew vegetables and played baseball near the river.
Haddam and Middletown were designated as half-shire towns when Middlesex County was formed in 1785, meaning each town had to maintain a courthouse and jail. Despite ongoing debates about consolidating the county’s judicial facilities, Haddam managed to retain its courthouse and jail, which contributed to the town’s economic growth.

The jail officially closed in 1969, but efforts have been made to convert it into a museum, preserving its historical significance. The interior remains largely unchanged, with steel bars, metal tables, and mattresses still intact.1 It doesn’t appear that the jail is open to the public at this time.

1 Microsoft Copilot

Photographed with Sony A7RV, 61mp, mirrorless camera and a Sony 24-70 F2.8 GMII lens @ 24mm
1/125th, f11, ISO 200, Aperture Priority