The Old Jail Museum 8th and Central Dubuque, Iowa

It’s a crime if you don’t visit! The Old Jail Museum is where history breaks out. A rare example of Egyptian Revivalist architecture, the 1857 jail exhibits some of the Dubuque County Historical Society’s most unique and interesting artifacts, yet still has all the criminal elements we love to hate. Don’t skip the dungeon in the basement!
 
Possibly the most fascinating experience in the new museum is the sound and light show. The 20 minute entertaining story captivates audiences with the use of actual artifacts, historically accurate timelines and an appearance by the ghost of Patrick O’Connor. O’Connor was condemned at the jail and hanged for murder in 1834 just 20 yards from the jail.
 
Among the highlighted artifacts in the museum are the Julien Dubuque Family Cradle, a passenger wagon from the A. A. Cooper Wagon Works, the ACME Life Saving Device which saved 27 people from the Hotel Canfield fire in 1946 and a Union flag from the Civil War.
 
Teachers, unlock your student’s minds. They will love going on an educational treasure hunt through the halls and cells of this old jail. Learning has never been so captivating. As your students gather knowledge they will get the answers they need to “break out of jail.”