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Newton County previews restored historic jail, civil-rights exhibit; completion targeted for June
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Summary
County staff presented plans and progress on restoring Newton County's historic jail and a new exhibit highlighting the Newton 6 and civil-rights-era events; the board heard that building rehabilitation is under way and exhibit signage, relics and a video loop of surviving participants will be installed, with completion expected in June.
Jeff Prime, who presented a progress update to the Newton County Board of Commissioners on April 21, said crews have begun rehabilitation work on the county's historic jail and a companion exhibit that will interpret the facility's history and civil-rights-era events.
"Tonight, we wanna give you a brief update on the progress that were being made on the historic jail and the exhibits," Prime said, describing exhibit layout, donated relics and plans for interpretive panels and a continuous video loop of surviving members of the Newton 6.
Prime told the board the work includes stabilizing surfaces, removing flaking paint and rehabbing cell areas so visitors can experience the space. He said designers will include historical artifacts — from fingerprinting relics to etched names left in cells — and a section that walks visitors through how the building was used, including items such as an iron ball-and-chain and docket records that document who served time there.
Commissioner Henderson praised the project and asked whether an existing kiosk honoring the Newton 6 would remain in place; Prime said the kiosk will remain and a wall display with a TV monitor will present first-person accounts from surviving Newton 6 members on a continuous loop.
Commissioner Edwards and Commissioner Long both commended Prime and the design team. Edwards said preserving difficult parts of history is important, noting that not all history is pleasant but that preserving it helps the community understand its past. Prime credited exhibit designer Scott Trudeau and local stakeholders — including several named community members and Commissioner Henderson — for helping shape the concept.
The presentation included a timeline for finishing work and a target to have both building rehabilitation and the exhibit ready around June. Prime said staff are available for follow-up questions and invited commissioners and stakeholders to continue providing input.
Next steps: staff will continue rehabilitation work, finalize exhibit content with the design team and report back to the board as the project approaches the projected June completion date.
