Wiscasset Jail and Museum

Wiscasset Jail and Museum is a three-story granite building that once served as an incarceration facility for the region. The structure contains twelve cells arranged along its walls, with barred windows in most rooms and one cell designed for solitary confinement without any windows.

This building was constructed in 1811 and served as Maine's first state penitentiary from 1820 to 1824. After that period, it continued operating as a county jail until it closed in 1953.

The Lincoln County Historical Association maintains the museum, presenting exhibitions about regional history and preserving artifacts from early American incarceration practices.

The site sits on Federal Street in the town and opens only on weekends during certain times of the year. It is wise to check the exact opening times before your visit since visiting hours are limited.

The interior walls display inscriptions left by French and British sailors who were held in these cells during the 1800s. These markings serve as tangible reminders of the lives of those prisoners.

Location: Maine

GPS coordinates: 44.01056,-69.66222

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00