Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine
North-Central Connecticut / East Granby, Connecticut
Activity
Cultural Outdoor Experience / Historic Mine
Distance
0.7 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~80 ft
Route
Historic-site exploration and guided mine loop
The adventure
Walk a ruined early-American prison, then descend into the copper mine that became its underground dungeon. Explore the ruins of America's first state prison, then descend into the abandoned copper mine that became its underground dungeon.
Enter Old New-Gate and explore the roofless prison yard and surviving historic structures before joining authorized mine access. Descend the 33 steps into the old copper workings, complete the underground loop through the place once used to imprison people below ground, return to daylight.
What to expect
- Explore the ruins of America's first state prison, then descend into the abandoned copper mine that became its underground dungeon.
- Turn into the museum entrance at 115 Newgate Road and use the site's visitor parking. Check in at the visitor center before entering the historic complex. Explore the outdoor prison yard and ruins on the established visitor route, then join the authorized mine experience when directed by staff. Descend the 33 modern steps, follow the roughly 100-yard underground loop, climb back to the surface and finish the outdoor grounds before returning to parking.
Good to know
- 1700s MINE
- Copper mining began here in the early 1700s, making New-Gate the first chartered copper mine in the colonies.
- UNDERGROUND PRISON
- Connecticut converted the abandoned mine into a prison in 1773, making the site the nation's first state prison.
- 75 FEET DOWN
- The standard mine route is about 100 yards and descends from roughly 35 feet to 75 feet below ground.
- ALWAYS COOL
- The mine stays around 52°F and wet even when Connecticut is hot outside. Bring a layer.
- COUNT THE STEPS DOWN
- There are 33 modern steps before the mine really begins. The temperature drops, the stone closes in, and suddenly 1707 feels considerably less theoretical.
- Fee
- Required: 2026 general admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and $5 youth, with children five and under free. Special-event mine access from September 25 through October 31 uses separately priced advance tickets.
- Entrance fee
- 2026 general admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and $5 youth, with children five and under free. Special-event mine access from September 25 through October 31 uses separately priced advance tickets.
- Dogs
- not-allowed.
- Season
- The museum and mine operate seasonally, currently May through October. Exact days, mine access method and late-season special-event rules can change annually.
Photos
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