Month: October 2017

                 Think you can ESCAPE FROM BLOOD PRISON?

                Starting on October 12th, OSR will be taken over by the insane residents of Blood Prison:

                “The United States prison system is in disarray…The worst inmates all over the United States have escaped their respective institutions looking for a new place to call home. After numerous murder sprees and in some cases “Clown Sightings” across the nation, these psychopaths have found the destination they were looking for in Mansfield Ohio. Once known for filming movies and music videos, these crazed inmates have taken over and renamed it BLOOD PRISON! The authorities do not dare go after them as these extremely psychotic inmates have The Ohio State Reformatory locked down…but every Halloween they open up the gates and dare anyone to try and make it through this once famous prison…”

                With professional make-up, special effects, lighting, and crew of actors, Escape from Blood Prison is sure to terrify those brave enough to enter.

                Our gates open at 6 pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from October 12^th until November 5^th, you’ll have plenty of chances to see what’s lurking inside the walls of OSR. On-site, you’ll find vendors, food trucks, and frights galore.

                Tickets can be purchased in advance online or when you arrive. General admission is $20 per person. If you’d like to skip some of the wait, the Speed Pass is $30 per person. With those two tickets, you can add an optional Touch Pass for $5. With the Touch Pass, Escape from Blood Prison gets even more interactive- the actors can reach out and touch you throughout the building. For the fastest admission and a complimentary Touch Pass, try the Lightning Pass for $40 per guest. Visit bloodprison.com to purchase tickets in advance.

                As this event is pretty intense, it is only for those thirteen and up- and not for those with heart conditions, other health issues, or those who are pregnant. The route will twist and turn throughout the Reformatory and will be going up and down flights of stairs, down narrow halls, and across uneven floors- be advised that this is not a handicap accessible event.

                Group rates are available for groups of twenty or more- just email SCREAM@mrps.org to make arrangements.

                And don’t forget to pick up a souvenir of from your time inside the walls of Blood Prison! Our newly renovated Museum Shop will be open and ready for business during the event.

                For more information or to book tickets, visit bloodprison.com.

                 In the years prior to OSR’s construction, the land it now occupies had a different purpose: an Army camp during the Civil War. However, it wasn’t only soldiers who spent time here… and it wasn’t always voluntary.

                Just after the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina (and the start of the war), President Lincoln issued a call for volunteers to help quell the rebellion. Ohio men responded in force and quickly filled up the training camp in Columbus. Soon enough, more camps were established, including Camp Bartley here in Mansfield.

                Camp Bartley was a popular place to watch the soldiers train. So popular, in fact (among young women), that a warning was published in the newspaper that no unaccompanied young women would be allowed into camp.

                Many of the regiments that trained here went on to see action in some of the war’s most famous battles including the Siege of Atlanta.

                But beyond the enlisted men, there were a few other residents of what newspapers dubbed “Camp Mansfield”.

                Not everyone in the northern Union states was in favor of the war, let alone in favor of the draft. There were protests across the country, many very close to home.

                In 1862, citing public morale, Habeas Corpus was rescinded.

                This allowed for those who’d protested or made public statements opposing the war or the draft to be arrested, at times without cause or warrant. Some of those men found themselves imprisoned on the land that would someday become the Ohio State Reformatory.

                The Commandant of Camp Bartley was a man named Charles T. Sherman, the oldest brother of William Tecumseh Sherman. Like his brother, Col. Sherman was no-nonsense and followed orders to the letter. When disgruntled citizens (and a few judges) of Ohio demanded that he release those who’d been arrested without a warrant, Sherman simply replied: “I shall disregard this writ, and will not obey its requirements.”

                In a rather foreboding turn of events, men remained here imprisoned for the duration of the war. And, just 34 years later, another group of men would arrive and start their own sentences. This time, though, they’d have had their day in court.

                 The Ohio State Reformatory is world-renowned for being so paranormally active, bringing professional investigators and novices alike to explore the dark halls and maybe-not-so-empty cells. Shadow figures are seen, ghostly footsteps are heard, and some even experience things like hair being touched or being jabbed with an unseen nightstick…

                New for 2018, we will be adding new and exciting Paranormal Programs:

                For those new to ghost hunting, we now will be offering a Ghost Hunt Challenge!

                Join the OSR staff as they lead you to some of the most paranormally active locations and teach you how to look for ghosts and try out state-of-the-art equipment. After a two-hour learning experience, pizza will be provided. From there, you’ll be free to explore the building until 3 am to test out your brand-new ghost hunting skills!

                Not a novice? Then our intermediate/advanced ghost hunts are for you! Set up like our previous public ghost hunts, you will be given a quick tour followed by a pizza dinner. Afterwards, explore the building until 3 am. These events are for the more experienced investigator- with at least three investigations under your belt already.

                And for the true professionals, we still have private hunts available. Book a night with just your team or your friends here at OSR. Availability is limited so book ahead quickly with Molly at molly@mrps.org.

                Want the full paranormal investigation experience but don’t have the equipment? Use ours!

                Starting in 2018, we will have a selection of paranormal equipment for rent. Track the fluctuations of EMF when a spirit passes by or watch the temperatures drop with a digital thermometer…then return them to us! More information on the rental program will be posted on our website as we get closer to 2018.

                Want to build your arsenal of equipment? We will also be carrying more types of equipment in the Museum Store!

                Book tickets and find more information on our Paranormal Program Page.

                Visit the Ohio State Reformatory during our Holiday season and beyond…

                For the first time, this November we will be hosting author and paranormal investigator Sherri Brake for her Ghost Hunting 101 class. Brake has hosted events at the Reformatory in the past and this new event promises to be just as fun and educational. A two-part event, you’ll spend the day learning about ghost hunting and the history of the Reformatory and then return in the evening to actually investigate the building using what you learned during the day. This event will take place on November 18. Please book your tickets in advance.

                From November 24^th until December 17^th, the Reformatory will be open seven days a week for daytime tours. Wander the self-guided tour route and explore the cellblocks, solitary, and more at your own pace. Or, when available, take a tour with one of our trained guides. Guided tours will be available based on the availability of the tour guides so call ahead to check on a specific date. Remember: the Reformatory doesn’t have heat in the majority of building so wear layers! Hours will be from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the last ticket being sold when the gates close at 4. Tickets can be purchased when you arrive for tours or can be purchased in advance on our website. 

                Looking further ahead, we will once again be hosting our Murder Mystery Dinner Theater next early spring. Keep an eye on our website or our Facebook page for updates and for information about ticketing- these dinners sell out quickly so get them early!

Exciting changes and new events are coming to the Ohio State Reformatory- we can’t wait to show you what’s next!