Oldham County History Center Expands Corrections Collection
The Oldham County History Center expanded its archives collections with the addition of materials on corrections history in the state. “It began when we started our campus renovation in 2014”, according to history center executive director, Nancy Theiss. “The Kentucky State Reformatory has been an important part of Oldham County’s history since the corrections facility opened here in 1939. We included a large exhibit area which looks at the history of corrections in Oldham County.”
The Kentucky State Reformatory was a boost to the local economy as the Depression Years had affected everyone who lived in the county. Many local farmers began working at the facility and for the first time, collecting a regular salary to supplement their farm, which had taken direct hits with the Depression. The Kentucky State Reformatory was a national demonstration of social reform promoted by President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt felt that prisons should rehabilitate inmates and teach them new skills and provide educational programs to prepare them better when their prison sentence expired. The Reformatory was built so that the inmates would directly support the facility. There was a dairy, beef, hog and poultry operation including large gardens that supplied food for the inmates. Everything was locally grown and sourced to the facility.
Inmates were also allowed to work on many projects in the county, some even working in homes as housekeepers and groundskeepers. There was a gift shop in the main building where leather goods such as purses, belts and wallets, that had been made and could be personalized by the inmates, was sold.
Many people in Oldham County that worked at the Reformatory also retired in the area. There are personal artifacts from Wardens, Officers and family members that have been donated to the Correction Collections. In addition, there are several people who have researched the history of corrections in Kentucky, such as Sharon Kounz and Kyle Ellison, that have donated their research.
The Kentucky State Reformatory Exhibit in the museum of the Oldham County History Center was actually constructed by the inmates themselves and includes an inmate’s prison cell today and what it looks like. The inmates designed a small replica of the Kentucky State Reformatory tower which was designed by William Strudwick Arrasmith, a Louisville architect, became a prominent landmark with its large gothic tower reflecting the 1930s popular art deco style.
For more information on the Corrections Collection call or email the Oldham County History Center: 502.222.0826 email: info@oldhamkyhistory.com