The Haunted Prison - Historic Burlington County Prison Museum

I came here on a whim in 2022 and because of Covid I was there entirely by myself. The woman working talked at length about the jail. What she didn’t tell me was what happened at noon - that a melody composed by Satan himself entices visitors to their damnation. I was almost a victim of the Prison’s lust for souls, only barely escaping it’s snare with my life. I was on the second floor in one of the cells, alone - with only the hum of fluorescent lights and the muffed howl of the wind outside breaking through the silence. I stepped into a cell and observed the spartan conditions that the inmates endured. The second I turned around to leave the cell, that’s when it happened. A disembodied melody began to play. At first it was soft enough for me to dismiss it as maybe a video playing downstairs, but then I stepped out of the cell and walked down the hall a few steps. The music felt like was coming from above, not below - both uncanny and alluring. The song itself was difficult to describe - it resembled an organ but muffled. It’s notes upbeat, almost hopeful - but given the environment, the juxtaposition made it eerier. After a few minutes, I ruled out it being someone’s phone like a construction worker that had a playlist devoted to organ music because it stayed the same volume, no matter the room I went into. I stepped towards one of the stairwells and thats when everything changed. The volume of the song increased. Now there seemed to be a source. I started walking toward the stairs - where it got louder, and louder with each step. I followed the music and could see an open, very heavy door - a door I had not seen when I had passed by the first time. Behind that door was a short hallway with a wooden floor. The music definitely coming from here, but why? This empty hall was out of place, almost from a different era - using this otherworldly chord of the damned to lure me deeper and deeper into the Prison. I was unnerved, terrified, but I had to see what was causing this music - this intoxicating siren’s call that had wafted its way into my soul. I stumbled past the dead-eyed statues of the internees, they’re pale, blank faces smirking as I was pulled into the Prison’s clutches. One step at a time, I descended the stairs, fixating on the door at the other end of the wooden floor hallway. The door was shut, with glass windows on the left - windows with no bars. The music was deafening, my heart racing as I stepped through the portal and onto the wooden floor. I walked an eternity in those ten steps to the closed door, the music blaring its cacophonous anthem. That’s when a movement outside caught my eye and snapped me from my trance. If only had never come to this wretched place, if only I had kept driving instead of pulling over to see what was in this derelict building. The deafening music hit its crescendo as I turned to look out the window and to my unparalleled horror, I could see it. The Prison’s most lethal instrument, the gallows. The Prison wasn’t content to just torture me, It wanted me to die, to have me become part of the exhibit, it’s hangman’s scaffold beckoning me to come outside. And then, as abruptly as it started it stopped… Turns out the music was a church next door. It wasn’t an organ, it was just bells that sounded weird because of the building. Gift shop was really top-notch, staff was friendly, and the exhibits were really professionally made. Total recommend.

The experience was amazing! A must see. Go, take the family. Affordable experience $5 per person $2 per student with a free tour from Tony who is inspiring, knowledgeable and whitty! What a wonderful slice of history the whole family will enjoy! About a 25-30 minute walk through, 3 levels and the yard.

It is a nice museum and the audio tour is done perfectly room by room only for $3Visited onWeekendWait time1 hr+Reservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entry$1–5

Really glad I took a pit stop here. Interesting piece of history. The staff was super friendly and informative too. Did a self guided audio tourVisited onWeekdayWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNo

THIS PLACE WAS AWESOME! Tour was only $5 and the audio upgrade was an additional $3. Get the upgrade. It blew my mind that a place that was built in 1811 was housing inmates all the way until 1965. This is an awesome museum and I definitely will be returning.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entry$1–5

Whole family had a great time. Cheap family outing. Escape game was a great added feature and worth the cost. The end of it was a little lack luster but we enjoyed it. Really enjoyed our time.

It was a quick stop for us to stroll around and stuff. It wasn't busy at all so it was nice not being rushed and walking through at our own pace. Very old prison and SMALL! Educational placards along the way which was nice. The main door is something to see. The thick wood & iron bars, giant key lock. Wow.

What a great museum! So much history. Definitely recommend. It’s not crowded and you tour it at your own pace. Plenty of street parking as well.

Local and easy way to kill an hour of time. At a $5 entry fee, it's a no brainer. Informative placards and full range of all 3 floors. Staff was pleasant and helpful

Very nice to see the history that NJ has to offer. The staff was very well informed and very attentive and more than happy to answer questions, I recommend going, you will not be disappointed.Visited onWeekdayWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entry$1–5