The Ohio State Reformatory

06/02/2026

As the weather warms and summer approaches, we’re taking a look back at the beautiful rock garden that once surrounded the pond at the Ohio State Reformatory.

The garden was created by inmate Emil Balanescu, better known as “Frenchy.” Frenchy was serving time for the murder of his girlfriend, Dorothy Kirk, earning him the nickname “The Love Pill Killer.” Frenchy always denied killing Dorothy, claiming the pills he had been experimenting with were only intended to make her fall in love with him. Frenchy became a model prisoner and in 1930, he was given permission to slowly design and develop the small area around the pond. Over time, it grew into a stunning tourist attraction that drew visitors to the Reformatory by the dozens via streetcar.

Frenchy’s story, and the story of his famous garden is far too detailed to fit in a single post. To learn more, book a Walls of Time Tour today! Walls of Time tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 PM.

05/31/2026

June arrives tomorrow and we have some excellent events taking place at the Ohio State Reformatory!

Come join us for the 2nd year of Party at the Pen, June 6th and 7th! It's bigger, better, and louder than last year. Pre-sale is closed, but day pass tickets will be available at the gate.

Old Sparky: Capital Punishment in Ohio is back for Summer 2026. Learn all about the history of the electric chair - including it's history and construction - as well as the human stories of those put to death. We have 4 June dates available, so if this is a tour you've been wanted to check out, make sure you get your tickets soon. Tickets for Old Sparky are available on our website!

05/29/2026

Did you see the recent article about the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum? Located within the Ohio State Reformatory, the NCOIM features the rich history of manufacturing and industry in the Mansfield/Richland County area.

Admission to the NCOIM is included in every Reformatory ticket purchased, so stop out any day we're open, 11am-4pm, to enjoy this unique museum!

Jerry Miller, NCOIM president, has bought local industrial artifacts and had items donated. He is always looking to grow the museum.

05/20/2026

ALL ABOARD! The Shawshank Bus tour returns to the Reformatory, starting Saturday, May 30th. Hop on our comfy, climate-controlled bus with an expert tour guide taking you through all of the local Shawshank Redemption filming spots, from the Reformatory, to Brooks Bench in Central Park, to the Road to Buxton near Malabar Farm State Park. Tickets available now at: ohiostatereformatory.org

Please note: We are launching the bus tour this summer using our smaller bus, which means the tour will not be wheelchair accessible at first. As soon as the downtown Mansfield construction eases up, we'll bring the big accessible bus back out!

05/18/2026

Are you coming out for Party at the Pen on June 6th and 7th? If you haven't yet made up your mind, just take a look at everything going down that weekend! You don't want to miss this!

PATP June 6-7
Mansfield, Ohio
SATURDAY • JUNE 6th
SHOW TIMES
VIP & Yard Pass — 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
General Admission — 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
⸻
EXPERIENCE
• Self-Guided Tours of Shawshank Prison
• Tintype Photography — Joseph Wyman
 Inside as well as outside
• Tattooing — Oliver Peck & Friends
• Tip Top Barber Shop
• Occupied Solitude Art Show
• AMDC Wall of Death — Shows Every Hour, On the Hour
• Mug Shot Booth — Free Digital Mug Shots
• AMCA Swap Meet (Lake Erie AMCA)
LIVE FEATURES
• Vintage Drag Cars — Firing Up Twice Saturday
 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Loside Rodeo Ruckus Games
• Noon — Beer Stein Holding Competition
• 12:30 PM — Slow Races
⸻
AFTER PARTY
At The Brickyard
Live Music — Matt Fuller 🎸
⸻
SUNDAY • JUNE 7
SHOW TIMES
General Admission — 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
VIP & Yard Pass — 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
⸻
EXPERIENCE
• Self-Guided Tours of Shawshank Prison
• Tintype Photography — Joseph Wyman
 Inside as well as outside
• Tattooing — Oliver Peck & Friends
• Tip Top Barber Shop
• Occupied Solitude Art Show
• AMDC Wall of Death — Shows Every Hour, On the Hour
• Mug Shot Booth — Free Digital Mug Shots
• AMCA Swap Meet
Loside Rodeo Ruckus Games
• Noon — Worst Tattoo
 (Guest Judge: Oliver Peck)
• 12:30 PM — We**ie Bite
FEATURE EVENTS
• Vintage Drag Cars — Firing Up at 1:00 PM
• Danger Dan International Kick Start Competition — 2:00 PM 🦵🌎
• In The Wind Giveaway — 2:30 PM
 (Must be present to win)
• Award Ceremony — 3:00 PM 🏆
📸 - .collective

05/15/2026

The doors open for ParaPsyCon open at 10am tomorrow, Saturday May 16th! Lucille, the world's most accurate Supernatural replica car, has arrived on site and is ready for visitors!

Tickets can be purchased online through the ParaPsyCon website or at the door!

05/13/2026

Are you coming to ParaPsyCon THIS weekend? If you are, consider bringing non-perishable food items for humans or food, toys, or supplies for our four-foot friends.

ParaPsyCon doesn't just donate what is collected during the food drive, but all proceeds from the event are donated to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society so we can continue our mission of preserving and restoring our unique historic landmark.

Just a reminder!

ParaPsyCon is always about giving back. That is what ParaPsyCon IS, and has ALWAYS been about!

It is not about having the largest crowds, the most vendors, or the biggest names. It is about GIVING.

So if you are coming to ParaPsyCon at the Ohio State Reformatory next weekend, May 16-17, we ask that you bring any type of non-perishable food item or any type of dog or cat food/supply.

Those items will be donated to the HOPE Food Pantry, Richland County Dog Shelter, and the Humane Society of Richland County.

And just a reminder ParaPsyCon, Black Shamrock Events, and Tr-C Ghost Hunters has never made any profit on ANY ParaPsyCon event. ALL net profits are donated back to the Mansfield
Reformatory Preservation Society aka Ohio State Reformatory.

All of us thank you for your support!

05/13/2026

This early view of the Reformatory’s West Wing was taken shortly after a new roof was installed. Over the years, the West Wing and its function changed often. As seen here, the first floor originally served as the laundry area.

Did you know the Reformatory once had decorative cannons along its exterior facade? If you look closely at the top of the tower on the right, you can spot two of them pointed toward the prison yard.

Want to learn more about our history? We're open 11am-4pm daily for historic tours (self-guided or guided) and escape rooms!

05/10/2026

Did you see that Ohio Magazine recently featured the Shawshank Trail? The Ohio State Reformatory is part of the Shawshank Trail.

You can visit filming sites around North Central Ohio either as a self-driving option or by taking our Shawshank Bus Tour. YES - that's right! The Shawshank Bus Tour will be returning SOON. Keep an eye on our social media. We'll be announcing the start date for the bus tour as soon as we can!

Hit the road this summer on the Shawshank Trail, exploring iconic The Shawshank Redemption sites like Ohio State Reformatory and relive a timeless story of hope.

🔗 https://www.ohiomagazine.com/travel/article/get-busy-driving-the-shawshank-trail-this-summer

05/08/2026

We are just over one week away from ParaPsyCon!

We’re excited to offer a special opportunity during ParaPsyCon weekend. When you pre-purchase a Sunday, May 17, 2026 Self‑Guided Tour ticket, you’ll receive 20% off one ticket to a Paranormal Program of your choice:

Public Ghost Walk — Ages 13+, A guided walking tour through the Reformatory’s most active areas.
Public Mini Ghost Hunt — Ages 18+, a shorter, hands‑on investigation ideal for beginners or those short on time.
Public Ghost Hunt — Ages 18+, A full‑evening of investigating on your own.
Private Ghost Hunt — Ages 18+, A dedicated, private investigation experience for your group.

ParaPsyCon (PARAnormal & PSYchic CONvention) will feature the Supernatural Tribute Car Lucille, the Scooby‑Doo Mystery Machine, the Ghostbusters, psychics, paranormal teams, celebrities, Bigfoot and cryptid researchers, UFO investigators, and many vendors offering books, crystals, jewelry, tarot readings, healing services, and more. Food trucks will be available throughout the day.