Agreement Reached to Renovate and Clean Up Historic Missouri State Penitentiary so That Public Tours Can Resume, Gov. Nixon Announces

Press Release

The State of Missouri and Jefferson City have reached an agreement that will allow public tours of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary to resume next spring after renovations and cleanup activities at the site are completed, Gov. Jay Nixon announced today.

"The Missouri State Penitentiary is an iconic Jefferson City landmark that attracts thousands of visitors each year," Gov. Nixon said. "This agreement will ensure that its rich history can continue to be shared and experienced by all, while protecting the health and safety of staff and visitors at the site."

The State of Missouri and Jefferson City have reached an agreement that will allow public tours of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary to resume next spring after renovations and cleanup activities at the site are completed, Gov. Jay Nixon announced on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013.

"As one of the most historic sites in the state, the Missouri State Penitentiary sits as a crown jewel for Jefferson City and central Missouri," State Senator Mike Kehoe said. "Its role in our state's history, and the economic impact of more than 20,000 visitors annually, are worthy of the cooperative efforts and investment of the state and the City of Jefferson. This agreement will help make sure that the Missouri State Penitentiary and its story are accessible for years to come."

"We are tremendously pleased with the outcome of the use agreement with the State of Missouri and the City of Jefferson," Diane Gillespie, Executive Director of the Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau said. "The Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau is deeply committed to this project and the potential it has to drive tourism in our city and the state of Missouri."

Also outlined in the agreement will be a 50 percent cost-sharing of expenses by the state and the city for renovations and hazardous material cleanup in four locations, including Housing Units 1, 3, 4, and the Gas Chamber.

"At a time when partisan paralysis is the norm in Washington D.C. and so many other states across the country, here in Missouri we're showing once again that we know how to work together to get things done," Gov. Nixon said. "Together, we'll ensure that this important part of our past remains an important part of our future."

In late September, tours of the Missouri State Penitentiary were canceled through the end of the year after environmental testing found higher than acceptable levels of mold in several areas accessible to staff and the public. The renovations and hazardous material cleanup included in the proposed agreement will address and correct these issues, after which public tours will be able to resume.

The Missouri State Penitentiary began operating in 1836 and was the oldest operating prison west of the Mississippi River when it closed in September 2004. Public tours of the site began in 2009.

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