Jackson, Michigan - Tour Prison Tunnels, Cells, Loft Apts.

Armory Arts Village is in the old historic Jackson Prison. It is one of 12 Michigan "Cool Cities" projects utilizing innovative ways to revive Michigan's once-industrial economy. Housed in the old Jackson Prison (1837-1935), Armory Arts Village is now an artists' community with 62 apartments, studios where the artists work and hold classes, and a huge and beautiful gallery which once held four tiers of prison cells that housed inmates of the largest walled prison on the planet in its time.

Visitors can browse in the gallery with its original walls, barred windows and ceiling, while enjoying paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass and mosaic works, then take a tour with resident storyteller and author, Judy Gail Krasnow.

The tour, "From Historic Prison to Artistic Vision," tells the fascinating history of how Jackson became home to the prison and what life in the prison was like. The tour includes a visit to the old tunnel system and solitary cells underlying the building and grounds, stories of colorful inmates, and tales of how the journal of a dedicated night-watchman and the art programs of a reformist Chaplain improved life within the prison walls and ultimately inspired the artists' community it is today.

The tour ends with a visit to a loft apartment designed from former 8' X 10' prison cells. [Judy Gail Krasnow, 11/01/2008]

This is a big prison you can drive past. Be sure to note the "Do not pick up hitchhiker" signs marking the way. Never been in, don't wanna be. [kate, 11/25/2003]