As ESPHS works diligently to build a new and improved ticketing area and museum store this winter, one treasured artifact will make its way into storage after having been on display for many years in a small museum space at the front of the property.
We are all very excited to accomodate more visitors in a less cramped atmosphere here at ESPHS, but we will miss this original iron studded oak door that acted as an entrance for inmates, visitors and staff alike for over 100 years. While its bigger and more intimidating counterpart was incinerated to build a more secure entrance in the late 1930s, the smaller (but still impressive) door survives today and is no joke; this door is a reminder of the stark and gothic architecture of the castle-like entrance intended by the original architect, John Haviland.
So we might call this day bittersweet. The door will no longer be accessible to visitors, but the extreme temperatures of its former location will no longer affect it. Instead, the door will make its way into a climate-controlled environment, and we will hopefully see it on display again at some point in the future.
April O’Brien
Tour Program Manager
