Welcome to the Texas Prison Museum
The Texas Prison Museum offers an intriguing glimpse into the lives of the state's imprisoned citizens. The museum features numerous exhibits detailing the history of the Texas prison system, featuring a look inside the operations behind the fences and walls.
Admission:
Adults - $7;
Seniors 60+/Active or Retired Military/First
Responders/TDCJ Employees/
SHSU Students - $5;
Ages 6/17 - $4;
5 years and under - No Charge.
Contact Information:
936-295-2155
491 Hwy 75 N
Huntsville, TX 77320
Mission Statement
The Texas Prison Museum shall collect, preserve and showcase the history and the culture of the Texas prison system and educate the people of Texas and of the world.
Contact Us
If you've got questions, would like to place a gift shop order, or would simply like to know more about the Texas Prison System, we'd love to hear from you!
General Questions
David.stacks@txprisonmuseum.org
Conference Room Inquiries
susie.harjo@txprisonmuseum.org
Gift Shop Inquiries
facebook.com/txprisonmuseum
Popular Exhibits
Capital Punishment
Exhibit
From the time of Independence from Mexico until 1924, hanging was the lawful method of execution in Texas. Hangings took place in the county where the condemned person was convicted.
In 1924 the State of Texas took control of all executions and prescribed electrocution as the method. One of the most chilling exhibits at the Texas Prison Museum is "Old Sparky," the decommissioned electric chair in which 361 prisoners were executed between 1924 and 1964. This legendary device, made by prison workers, was in storage at the Walls Unit Death House before being donated to the museum, and is our most controversial exhibit.
Old Sparky
Prison Hardware
Various types of hardware have been used to contain inmates. This exhibit shows the different types of equipment used over the years, including the old ball and chain, pad locks, and modern handcuffs.
Ball & Chain
Prison Art
Contraband
Bonnie & Clyde
Plan Your Visit
Whether you've got a quick 45 minutes to browse, or a few hours to soak in some history, we've got something for everyone!
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Saturday
10 am - 5 pm
First Monday of Month
12 Noon - 5 pm
Sunday
12 pm - 5 pm
In observance of holidays, the Texas Prison Museum is closed on Easter,
Thanksgiving, two days during Christmas, and New Year's Day.
This Week In Texas Prison History
Execution accounts are type transcriptions of actual newspaper articles that covered the inmate's execution. In order to maintain accurate historical context of the time period when the articles were written, the language used in them has not been changed.
January 21:
1937 Angleton, Texas - Three women living near Angleton captured a runaway convict Wednesday morning. The prisoner was Lowell Hawkins who escaped from the Retrieve Farm about daybreak on a horse which he later abandoned because of the difficulty in getting through fences. About 8 a.m. a guard rode up to the home of Mrs. G.P. Munson and asked if she had seen the prisoner.
A negro had seen him in the neighborhood a few minutes before. Mrs. Munson said she had not seen the convict. The guard road away on his horse. A little later, Mrs. Munson heard a knock at the back door opening it. There stood the convict. Mrs. Munson seized a gun and held it on the man. Her daughter with another gun also held the convict at bay. Her daughter Laura and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. G.P. Munson Junior, ran go get help. "Please don't shoot," said the convict. " I won't hurt you. I have a wife and three children at home." He told the women his name and said he was afraid to go near a guard fearing he would be shot. The younger Mrs. Munson got into a car and went after the guard who rode back and took custody of Hawkins. Hawkins has been a trustee at the farm.