Renovations Complete on Old Freestone County Jail

 

A dream to preserve Freestone County History became reality when the old Freestone County 1881 jail was purchased in 1966 from Mr. and Mrs. Tommie Willard.

 

A committee led by Capt. High D. Whitaker, consisting of County Judge Sam Carroll, Freestone County Commissioner Llewellyn Notley and other members of the Freestone County Historical Survey Committee, oversaw the tremendous task of raising the necessary funds and collecting and organizing numerous artifacts.

Freestone County Historical Museum officially opened its doors on May 7, 1967. The museum moved into the Barbara and H. Neil Bass Wing in 2007 and restoration of the old jail began in 2012.

Saturday, October 2, 2021 marked the celebration of its reopening and 140 years of continuous use.

Emcee of the day, local radio personality Buzz Russell, welcomed the crowd gathered in front of the historical building.

A reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance was followed by the National Anthem, performed on saxophone by Reverend Andrew Weitner of New Life Assemble of God Church.

After a quick hello to a young fan from Fairfield Library’s Story Time, Sheriff Jeremy Shipley talked about the “hidden gem” that had been restored to house artifacts from Freestone County’s storied past.

Fairfield Mayor Kenneth Hughes, who helped deliver refreshments from Desserts by MommaCakes, spoke of pride in what everyone had accomplished.

“One, two, three…” and the official ribbon was cut by museum curator Patricia Pratt and museum board president Linda Mullen as members of the museum board and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce stood as witness.

Outlaws and lawmen, moonshiners and church-goers. They all have a place on the grounds of Freestone County Historical Museum.

Speaking of outlaws, J.W. Hardin regaled folks about his days of glory, and the one night he spent in their old jail. As he spoke, fellow re-enactors portrayed the story of one of Freestone County’s early sheriffs who was killed in the line of duty.

Finally, the doors to the jail were open for tours.

On the ground floor is the Sheriff’s office with a roll-up desk and pictures of all those who held the office. A little further down is the medical room, and across the hall is a bedroom for the sheriff’s family and small parlor that houses a piano and an old phonograph.

Up the narrow stairs is the jail cell, a rolling bath tub, and the inside hanging gallows, along with exhibits on moonshining.

The Freestone County Historical Museum is located at 302 East Main Street in Fairfield, Texas.

Regular hours are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit them online at freestonecomuseum.com

2021 County Museum Board members are Linda Mullen – President, Brad Pullin – Vice-President, Leslie Tate – Treasurer, Nancy Rula – Secretary, Sherrie Minze, Ralph Billings, Muriel Morton, Don Awalt, and Diane Pullin.

A huge “THANK YOU” to the many, many volunteers who worked tirelessly to complete the renovations to the old jail.

Thank you also to Freestone County, the City of Fairfield, and to the many Friends of the Museum who have steadfastly supported the museum’s restoration efforts.

Make time to visit soon!

(Photos by Karen Leidy)