Don’t misconstrue the facts; I am not a masochist. That being said, one of my favorite and, needless to say, most memorable vacation destinations has been the West Virginia Penitentiary, located in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Everything about this building is cold. The Gothic, citadel-styled structure of the prison casts a shadow so large that it cloaks the entire property. The stone façade is so menacing that the building appears impenetrable from the outside. Gun mounts visible on the turrets, pointing outward instead of inward, cause a chill to run down your spine. So much as looking at the prison will cause you to quiver and hastily back away. Yet, on that August 2006 day, I could not wait to enter.
The Penitentiary is stuck in a moment in time. A moment when high-security inmates, that lovingly termed themselves “The Alamo,” inhabited the halls. A moment when prison guards dodged fecal matter being thrown at them as they patrolled the cells of criminals. A moment when the flip of a switch would determine whether or not you went home a killer that day. A moment when riots, fires, fights, and escapes threaten your life on a daily basis. A moment when a “high-security” prison was not too secure at all.
A tour of this now-historic-landmark is sickening and intriguing. I was disgusted when shown the electric chair, but felt compelled by the history behind it. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t find it interesting that the chair was actually designed by an inmate? Doesn’t it cause you to wonder how that individual’s popularity must have gone downhill, and fast?
The West Virginia Penitentiary was something I had never experienced before (and not something I would necessarily like to repeat), yet it caused me to think. And the primary thought running across my mind was, “I will NEVER commit a crime. I’d be too terrified of the repercussions.”
Photo from: www.marshallcountrytourism.com/wvpen-1.jpg
The West Virginia Penitentiary...What a haunting experience! I can still vision the inmates sitting around the metal tables, pounding their fists on the hard, cold surfaces, creating the deafening chaos to confuse and agitate the prison guards! The sounds of that demonstration still echo in my head!
ReplyDeleteHolli - I have always been thrilled that you have taken away special (if not terrifying) impressions from your travels with your family. I think this blog is a great way for you to share, and reinforce in your own mind, the value of visiting the less common vacation destinations. I hope you continue to embrace the diversity you find in your travels across the nation and the world!
BTW, I agree with your Darth teacher that some entries seem scant in detail but I also recognize that you are trying to squeeze in as many interests (Ben and Jerry's kiosk included)in a 24 hour period, as possible. My suggestion to you is, when reflecting upon your visit, pick out one or two especially memorable sights and relive them. Put every sensory perception in the detail that your reader will be able to taste, smell, vision, hear and feel without ever leaving your blog!
I enjoyed reading your blog. I hope we will be able to share more of our adventures together into our adult years!
Mom (I don't remember the name of the Christian group, either)