The Old Essex County Jail: Past and Present

Opening events:
May 16, 2PM
May 19, 12PM

This exhibition focuses on the site of the Old Essex County Jail in Newark, New Jersey and features work completed by historic preservation students as part of the Spring 2018 studio led by Monty Freeman and Bryony Roberts. Following the opening on May 16, the show remains on view through September 27.

First constructed in 1837 after designs by John Haviland, the Old Essex County Jail has undergone many reconfigurations over time, in part due to changing policies of incarceration. After being abandoned in the early 1990s, the site has deteriorated and currently faces demolition, despite being listed on the New Jersey State and National Registers of Historic Places. This exhibition explores the complex architectural, social, and material histories of the site, and offers proposals for reuse of the jail structures in dialogue with neighboring institutions.

Exhibition design by Ellen Quinn and Shantal Henry.

Directions: From New York: take the PATH train to Newark Penn Station and walk for half mile, or the NJ Transit train from NYC Penn to Newark Broad Street station and walk 1/3 mile along Broad Street.