Old Idaho Penitentiary

08/11/2026

Here is a sneak peak of one of the pieces (and stories) from this Saturday's 32 Cells Art Show!

Artist Rebecca Mulberry's work is inspired by the story of Joy De Cheverieux ( #5341), arrested at 17 in 1936 for robbery.

The Ogden Standard-Examiner ran a story under the headline, “Girl Bandit is Sentenced: Pretty 22-Year-Old Joyce De Cheverieux Must Serve Five Years for Armed Robbery.” Long Beach, California-born Joy convinced a driver who had picked her up while hitchhiking in McCammon, Idaho, to go to a remote area where accomplices Lynn Crosby and Jess Cox waited. The trio robbed Lockwood of $17 but were eventually apprehended. The state only sentenced Joy, the only one of the three with a past criminal record.

In May 1937, Joy, along with Marjorie Bess ( #5463), escaped the Women’s Ward after piling boxes and chairs against the wall. The women were captured two hours after their escape, hiding in the sagebrush. Both were returned to the prison but received no extra time for the escape. The following October, Joy received parole and moved back to California.

Be sure to join us for this uniquely-Idaho art show and to hear more stories of Old Idaho Penitentiary residents from each of the United States, this Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (last admission 9:15 pm). More info and pre-registration at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/32cells2026/

08/10/2026

08/08/2026

In 1909, James McCenstry ( #1613) stole a horse tied to a post in Blackfoot, Idaho. Police apprehended him after the horse ran James into a barbed wire fence. The fence cut his knee and the stolen horse kicked his left jaw, leaving him with permanent scars in both places. He was arrested and sent to the Idaho State Penitentiary for 1-14 years on grand larceny charges.

He escaped from the site on July 8, 1911. Warden John W. Snook caught him in Kuna two days later. James escaped again on November 4, 1911 by climbing the prison wall. Snook and the prison bloodhounds trailed him for three hours, catching him behind the Natatorium building on Warm Springs Avenue. He began adhering to prison rules and was paroled in May 1915. On the morning of December 12, 1915, a hardware store owner shot and killed McCenstry during a robbery in Montpelier, Idaho. After being initially identified as “James Harty,” Warden Snook sent detectives McCenstry’s photo, confirming the deceased outlaw’s identity.

08/05/2026

Check out this year's 32 Cells poster by participating artist Mike Dreher! Share it out and let other folks know about this great show coming up on August 15.

"Bars and Stripes: Every State, Same Fate" features brand new works by local artists telling the stories of Idaho State Penitentiary residents hailing from each of the United States and its Territories.

Also enjoy special exhibits, plus the Old Idaho Penitentiary's cell houses and buildings open for exploration, snacks and drinks available for purchase, music, merch, and more.

32 Cells Art Show XI: Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm (last admission 9:15 pm). Admission is $15 at the door or online. More info and admission at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/32cells2026/

*Due to the graphic nature and subject matter of this show, it is recommended for ages 13+ only.
*All admission proceeds benefit Idaho State Historical Society education programs.

08/02/2026

The 32 Cells art show is coming up on August 15!

One of this year's artists, Darlee Overzet, shared some sneak peeks of her piece, inspired by the story of Edna Carlton ( #3417). Born in Florida in 1896, Edna and her husband Jack (posing as brother and sister in Idaho) were arrested after trafficking a young woman across state lines for "immoral purposes." Edna served one year of a 15-month sentence at the Idaho State Penitentiary in 1924.

This year's 32 Cells art show, "Bars and Stripes: Every State, Same Fate" features brand new works by local artists in an expanded America 250-flavored show with profiles of Idaho State Penitentiary residents hailing from each of the United States and its Territories.

Enjoy the show!
- New local art from Idaho artists, featuring more artists than ever!
- Snacks and drink available for purchase.
- Special exhibits.
- Most art pieces are available for purchase from the artists!
- Old Idaho Penitentiary cell houses open for exploring.
- Music, merch, and more...

32 Cells Art Show XI: Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm (last admission 9:15 pm).
- Admission is $15 at the door or online.
- Due to the graphic nature and subject matter of this show, it is recommended for ages 13+ only.
- All admission proceeds benefit Idaho State Historical Society education programs.

More info and admission at: https://history.idaho.gov/event/32cells2026/

08/01/2026

In 1937, two Idaho prisoners, Douglas Van Vlack ( #5264) and William Hix ( #5259), received death sentences. The penitentiary attempted to update their gallows by taking an elevator shaft in the Shirt Factory building and converting it in order to transition from using temporary gallows built outside in the prison yard.

Using an electric system with four buttons to activate the dropping mechanism, only one of the buttons would actually function resulting in the unknown responsibility (or shared responsibility) among the ex*****oners.

Van Vlack kidnapped and murdered his ex-wife Mildred Hook, and killed Idaho state trooper Fontaine Cooper and Deputy Sheriff Henry Givens. William Hix, serving time at the Idaho State Penitentiary for forgery, stayed with fellow prisoner Joseph Miller's father Frank after escaping, but eventually killed him. William Hix would appeal his case, eventually receiving a sentence of life in prison rather than death. Douglas Van Vlack, committed su***de by jumping from a cell railing in the hours leading up to his ex*****on.

There is only limited evidence as to the existence of the never-used gallows in the Shirt Factory building.

Join staff researcher Tate Sawyer on Friday, August 21, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a night of history and more true stories of the prison Shirt Factory during our next Captivating Conversations event! Register online at https://history.idaho.gov/event/ccshirtfactory/ or at the door when you arrive. This event is free! Enjoy complimentary refreshments and beverages, and share some Old Idaho Penitentiary history with us.

07/30/2026

🎉 Exciting news for the Old Idaho Penitentiary!

The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded funding to support the development of an immersive multimedia exhibit exploring the history of the Old Idaho Penitentiary and its role in Idaho's justice system as the state evolved from a frontier territory to a modern Idaho.

This nationally competitive award recognizes the significance of Idaho's history and will help us create engaging new experiences that connect visitors with the stories, people, and events that shaped our state.

We're honored to be among just 81 projects selected for NEH funding this cycle and grateful for this investment in preserving and sharing Idaho's history.

Stay tuned as we share more about this exciting project!

07/27/2026

Note: The Old Idaho Penitentiary will be open tomorrow (Tuesday, July 28) from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, last admission 4:00 pm, after a morning staff training.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The site is open all other days for regular summer visitation hours, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission 4:00 pm).