Come party with us behind bars (voluntarily) at the Old Gaol, sip on a craft cocktail, savor the historic setting, and enjoy a night to remember! This event is a fundraiser to support our archives. Lock in your spot now!

The imposing Newburyport landmark known as the Old Gaol is turning 200 this year, and we have an amazing party planned to celebrate! Designed by architect Stuart James Park, the Newburyport Gaol (Jail) held prisoners great and small, male and female, some for days and some for lifetimes, until 1919.

Since its inception, these buildings have been Newburyport landmarks. In fact, one of the Museum of Old Newbury's prize collections is one of the oldest landscape photographs in the United States - an image of the Gaol and Jailkeeper's House taken in 1839!

Though the Gaol has been open to visitors before, the companion Jailkeeper's House and Stables that formed the original jail complex will be open for one special night only, thanks to the generosity of Charles Griffin, who has owned and painstakingly restored and studied the complex since 1987.

Enjoy a special night for Museum of Old Newbury members. Sip vintage cocktails or an Ipswich Ale and enjoy fresh oysters and tables of delicious local fare as you wander with your friends through these incredible spaces.

Best of all, your ticket supports the vital work we do to preserve and share the incredible archive and photograph collections, coming soon to the Museum's Perkins Art and Research Center.

Your $200 JailBird ticket comes with an antique escape key, all food and drinks, a commemorative etched cocktail glass and a set of notecards of historic views of the Old Gaol.

Your $500 VIP JailKeeper ticket is limited to 8 guests and comes with a special private tour with architect and Old Gaol owner Charles Griffin at 5:15 p.m. before the other guests arrive, an antique church key, two commemorative etched cocktail glasses, and a limited edition print of the H.C. Perkins 1839 daguerretype held by the Museum of Old Newbury.

This event is generously sponsored by our friends at Smith Sullivan Antiques & Curiosities, and Barb Cullen, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty.