Vist the Old Brunswick Jail Museum in Southport, North Carolina!

The Old Brunswick Jail was built in 1904 in the coastal town of Southport, North Carolina. The growing community was the county seat of Brunswick County. The jail, built for less than $7,000, was used to house criminals for almost 70 years. The two-story brick building was preserved by the Southport Historic Society and is now used as a museum.

The cells cast iron bars contained the inmates, four bunk beds and a small wash basin and commode made of steel. Cast iron bars also filled the window openings in each jail cell. Much like the images in western cowboy movies, the cells were spartan in design and left little room for movement or contact with the outside world.

Old Brunswick Jail Museum is located across the street from the Old Smithville Burying Ground. Visitors to the museum will also discover unique works of art adorning the walls of the jail cells. Prisoners etched designs and words onto the walls of their brick confines, creating a primitive mural of sorts to note their time spend as an inmate in Southport. While a bit faded over time, the convict graffiti is still visible and draws interest during museum tours.

The lower floor of the jail housed the jailors quarters. The family of the jailor also lived inside the building. Children played with toys while "Momma" cooked dinner just a floor below the incarcerated criminals awaiting the outcome of their trials. The walking tour of the Old Brunswick Jail includes a venture past the living quarters, where dainty curtains and children's toys still adorn the rooms below the cells. Don't forget to walk the grounds and pose the children in the "stockade."

After the jail released its' final inmate in 1971, the building began to deteriorate. In 1978 the county seat in Brunswick County was changed from Southport to Bolivia, thus causing even less attention and funds being funneled to the upkeep up the old jail. The Southport Historical Society revitalized the facility and initiated preservation projects in 1984. Although the dreams of making Southport a large railroad center by local merchants were never realized, the city has carved a place in silver screen history. As of 2010, over fifty major motion pictures have used Southport buildings, scenic streets and the seashore for movie set locations. Famed actress, Sissy Spacek made herself comfortable inside the old jail while filming "Crimes of the Heart" in 1986. Although the location of the movie was a fictional town in Mississippi, the film crew shot many scenes around the town of Southport.

After years of work inside the jail and donations from community members, the Old Brunswick Jail Museum was ready for public viewing in 2004. One hundred years after the jail's doors opened for the first time, they opened once again, offering a glimpse into the past of Brunswick County. Special care was taken during the restoration process to remain true to the architecture of the early 1900's when when restoring and replacing necessary items inside the old jail. The original building was designed by A.J. Robbins. The bricks were laid in a 1:6 bond pattern and the ceilings were made of concrete and molded in the form of barrel. The metal forms used during the concrete laying of the ceiling were never removed, and are still visible throughout the structure. The doors and windows inside the building were designed in a segmented arch design.

The Old Brunswick Jail Museum serves as the home of the Southport Historical Society. Tours of the jail routinely occur on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from May to October. Historical training classes teach volunteers to becoming docents and participating in historical tours and special events. Tour guides in period costumes guide visitors through the Old Brunswick Jail Museum, sharing local lore and historical insight.

While visiting the Southport Historical Society headquarters and the museum you will also have the opportunity to view a replica of an 1841 six pound bronze cannon. Robert C. DeHaven ordered the cannon from the Cannon Ltd. Company in Ohio and donated it to the historical society. The cannon, nicknamed "THOR," makes frequent appearances at community events and can be rented for private functions.

The Southport Historical Society Bookstore operates a bookstore inside the jail building. For a nominal fee, visitors can pick up books written about the region, some of which were authored by local residents. Special events are held on the grounds of the Old Brunswick Jail Museum or around Southport courtesy of the historical society volunteers. Book signings, workshops, lectures and art walks are common occurrences throughout the year. Interpreting and preserving the history of the Southport area are the primary goals of the organization. The Southport Historical Society accepts new members on an ongoing basis. Discounted fees for special event participation and bookstore prices are extended to all organization members. The walking tour of the jail is free, but donations are accepted.

Southport Historical Society Board, The Old Jail, Southport Historical Society