Welcome to Jefferson City!

- Explore the oldest prison west of the Mississippi River -

When the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) opened its doors in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo was occurring in Texas, and Andrew Jackson was in his second term of presidency. Governor John Miller's recommendation of building a state prison is the reason why Jefferson City remained the capital city of Missouri, and it played an instrumental role in both the city and state's development. The prison was nearly 100 years old by the time Alcatraz began taking inmates. The MSP operated for 168 years before decommissioning in 2004. Today, educational history and paranormal tours showcase the prison’s grisly past and the evolution of the state's penal system. Explore historic housing units, cells of the prison's most infamous inmates, and the gas chamber where 39 men and 1 woman were executed. Voted the #1 Jefferson City activity on TripAdvisor, this historic site is worth the tour!

Free with your tour admission!

Missouri State Penitentiary Museum

In conjunction with the Missouri State Penitentiary tours, the museum provides additional historical information about the famous prison that operated for 168 years. The museum houses MSP memorabilia and a replica cell that demonstrates the living conditions at the prison. 

The museum is located in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House at 700 E. Capitol Avenue.

Admission is $2 per person (or free with the purchase of a prison tour).

Museum Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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