Carlucci, Galef Secure State Funding for Sing Sing Museum
The establishment of a Sing Sing Historic Prison Museum in Ossining become closer to a reality last week after state Senator David Carlucci (D/Rockland, Westchester) announced he had secured $100,000 in the state budget for the project.
The funds will be used specifically to hire a historic preservation architect to prepare an assessment of a 1825 cell block and a 1936 Power House at the prison to develop a set of plans and specifications for their preservation.
“By building a museum that will garner national attention, we will be preserving Ossining’s past, while allowing economic development and tourism to expand its future,” Carlucci said outside the prison, flanked by state Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (D/Ossining), Ossining Mayor Victoria Gearity, Town Supervisor Sue Donnelly and others.
Galef also played a role in locking up $1 million in Dormitory Authority funds, which will be utilized for the construction of the museum.
“I believe this is a transformative project that could have major benefits to our area for decades to come,” Galef said. “Sing Sing’s story needs to be told and that includes all of the history of the penal system and how Sing Sing has impacted our culture since 1825 when it was first built here on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River.”
Historic Hudson River Towns has commissioned the services of renowned historian Brent Glass, Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institute, to assist with the development of the museum and creating a plan to preserve the historic buildings on the site.
“The identity of the Village of Ossining is intrinsically linked to Sing Sing Prison,” Gearity said. “I am excited for the opportunities that come with the opening of what will be a world class museum. Visitors from nearby and across the country will be welcomed by the Ossining community.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
