City: East Granby, CT

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (860) 653-3563

Address: 115 Newgate Rd.

Insider Pick:

Description: This amazing historical site was North America’s first chartered copper mine, opening in 1707. It was then turned into the colonial government’s first prison during the Revolutionary War, filling up its deep, dank tunnels with horse thieves and Tories. They began calling it Newgate at this time, after England’s most infamous prison. In 1776 it became America’s first official prison when ties with England were severed. It was closed 50 years later in 1827 for being “inhumane” and attempts to continue copper mining failed. Today you’ll enter the prison yard to see the remaining prison buildings, and head down a modern stairway into the underground tunnels. Bring a sweater, because the temperature is always around 55 degrees. The site was closed for reconstruction in 2011 and is anticipating reopening in May 2012. Call to make sure.