The Ancienne Prison de L’Orignal Jail at 1023 Queen Street in L’Orignal is open seven days a week this summer, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those wanting to learn more about prison life from years gone by.
The Old Jail will be open daily through Labour Day weekend, at which time it will close for the season, although the group is discussing other possible opening dates during the autumn months.
Coordinator Emma Calvert is back on the job for her seventh season and says she loves meeting visitors and that for their part, visitors love hearing stories the tour guides. Many stories are from former guards at the Old Jail, some of whom are still in the region and who have shared tales of their time working at the Old Jail.
The L’Orignal Old Jail has been open to visitors since 2007.
The not-for-profit group which manages the Old Jail holds various fundraising events throughout the year and organizes displays at the Old Jail. This year’s displays have expanded to include information on the Old Jail infirmary and how medical services were managed for prison inmates.
A café is also located at the premises this year, offering coffee, tea and iced tea, gelato and some local food products.
To find out more about the Old Jail, visit the website, find the Old Jail on Facebook, or call 613-675-4381.
Chloe Laviolette is a bilingual interpreter at the L’Orignal Old Jail.
View of the pantry at the café, stocked with locally-made products
