Folsom’s renowned Big House Prison Museum, a longtime destination for history enthusiasts and curious visitors, has abruptly closed its doors. The closure, which occurred this past week, is reportedly due to financial challenges faced by the organization that operates the non-profit facility.
Located in the historic former Warden’s home near the main entrance of Folsom State Prison, the museum has been a significant cultural and educational landmark. Chad Deal, Public Information Officer for Folsom State Prison, confirmed that neither the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) nor the prison itself is involved in the museum’s operations. Instead, the closure was directed by the Board of Directors of the Old Guard Foundation, the non-profit entity managing the facility.
According to Deal, the closure is expected to be temporary while the Board of Directors conducts an assessment of the museum’s operations. This evaluation includes taking inventory of the museum’s assets and reviewing its financial expenditures. The Folsom Times reached out to the museum’s board for further details, but no responses were received.
Publicly accessible tax records for the Old Guard Foundation paint a concerning financial picture. A 990-EZ tax return, viewable here, filed for the 2022 fiscal year reveals a loss of $52,944, with income for the year reported at only $3,351. The museum’s revenue, derived from grants, admission fees, and souvenir sales, has significantly declined compared to 2018, when income was reported at $113,413.
According to the museum website, the Old Guard Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 2012 by a group of retired correctional peace officers from the 135-year-old Folsom State Prison. The Board of Directors is a collective total of more than 115 years of varied service levels in Corrections. The Retired Correctional Peace Officers (RCPO) Museum at Folsom State Prison was founded in 1975 and chronicles the prison’s history. In 2011, the museum was annexed by the Old Guard Foundation.
In 2014, the organization “morphed the museum into the Big House Prison Museum with intention of making it a national museum, exposition and education center for Corrections and the people who live, work and visit the facilities,” according to the the website.
As a non-profit institution chronicling the 135-year history of Folsom State Prison, the museum’s closure has sparked concern from members of the community that have taken to social media as well as reached out to Folsom Times. Such concerns include hope that the facility can reopen after the situation is reviewed and resolved. Some volunteers have taken to social media, expressing frustration with the board of directors and its closure and operation of the museum
Although they do not manage it in anyway, prison officials anticipate the museum will remain closed for at least two to three months while the board addresses its financial challenges. Prison officials have expressed hope that more information regarding the museum’s future will become available soon.
