Restoring History
The Ohio State Reformatory is more than stone, steel, and tile. It is a tangible link to the past, recounting stories not only of inmates and wardens, but also the […]
A Museum of Museums
Becky McKinnell, Archivist/Historian The Ohio State Reformatory truly contains “museums within a museum.” The first of these, the Ohio Correctional Museum, was established in the west wing on the first floor. Its restoration required […]
A New Addition to OSR
Why a Permanent Concert Stage at The Ohio State Reformatory Matters At its core, The Ohio State Reformatory is not just a historic landmark — it’s a gathering place. A […]
All Is Not What It Seems
By Becky McKinnell, Archivist/Historian Hollywood has long been drawn to the Reformatory, and one of the notable productions filmed here was Tango & Cash in 1988, starring Sylvester Stallone and […]
Please Wipe Your Feet
By Becky McKinnell – Archivist / Historian at Ohio State Reformatory “The vestibules, halls, & passage ways of the front buildings will be laid with a neat but plain […]
Christmas Card for Home
Rebecca McKinnell – Archivist Philip Schwartz was a social worker and psychologist at OSR from 1964 to 1969. During his first six months at OSR, he rented a room […]
It’s All in The Turn
It’s All in The Turn Rebecca McKinnell – Archivist Architect Levi Scofield’s design for the Ohio State Reformatory was a stark contrast in materials. The back of the prison […]
The Mother of Invention
R. McKinnell Oct 6, 2025 “A shiv or shank is a hand-crafted bladed weapon resembling a knife that is commonly associated with prison inmates.” They say that necessity is […]
West Cell Block Restoration Program
Why Are You Restoring the West Cell Block and How Can We Help? Ashleigh Ramey, OSR Program Director It was 9pm on November 19th, 2023, and I was relaxing at home […]
Do you want your coffee black?
Do you want your coffee black? R. McKinnell Sept 8, 2025 Among the oral histories conducted, not all the interesting stories came from inmates. Richard Pass came to the […]
She’ll Add New OSR Dimension
She’ll Add New OSR Dimension By: Ed Kenyon Proponents of prison reform and women’s liberation have scored a major victory Mrs. Linda Bolin being added to the “behind-the-walls staff” at […]
First Woman Officer at Mansfield
FIRST WOMAN OFFICER AT MANSFIELD She Works Behind Prison Wall By: Charlotte Taylor MANSFIELD – The first woman officer in an all-male Ohio prison is a genteel, gray-haired mother of […]