Old Jail Museum 
by Robert M.

The jail itself contains two levels of cells on the second floor.  Two entrances lead to this prison area: one from the inside through a steel door from the first floor dining room and a second steel door entrance from the outside.  Both lead into a hallway that contains the metal stairs leading up to the cells.  At the top of the stair level a trap door was installed for hangings.  The one time it was used, the lever was jammed.  The prisoner had made a spoon into a knife and stabbed the sheriff in the hand.  With his other hand, the sheriff pulled the lever so hard it came loose, the trap door opened, and prisoner was hung. 

A sheriff and his family would live in the jail.  The living quarters for the sheriff and his family consisted of two bedrooms upstairs plus four rooms on the first floor that included the living room, kitchen and dining room.  The prisoners would usually eat beans and cornbread every day; so would the children.  One Thanksgiving they had a large feast, but the children refused to eat because they were wondering, "Where are the beans?"

The Works Project Administration modified the building in 1936 during the Great Depression.  This change eliminated the fireplaces that were in most of the rooms in the sheriff's living area.  This was also the time when the original brick exterior was covered in stucco.

This building served as a jail and sheriff's residence until 1974 when a new Criminal Justice Facility was constructed on the courthouse grounds.  Modern technologies such as plumbing, heating, and electricity have been added in the jail during the years.  The original jail cells are still intact.

The Wilson County Historical Society now has a museum in the jail house.  Many guests visit the jail house each year, especially during Peanut Festival and other special events.  The museum is now open on the first and third Saturday of every month.
 

Sources:  Mrs. Barbara Deason of the Wilson County Historical Society and the Museum Brochure