The Lincoln County Museum & Old Jail in Wiscasset reopened its doors to visitors this month. This season, its curator, the Lincoln County Historical Association, is featuring an exhibit called, “Wiscasset in the first half of the 20th century” featuring photographs, articles and other memorabilia from 1900 to 1950 including a U.S. Army uniform complete with cap and trench overcoat.

LCHA President Edward Kavanagh said nearly all of the exhibits were loaned to the museum by local residents. Kavanagh donated his own collection of LIFE magazines from the 1940s and 1950s.

“Most of what’s on display are things that people can actually see up close and touch,” he said. Most of the items are on display in the museum’s front room.

While they’re at the museum, visitors can take a guided tour of the historic jail cells themselves and see prisoner graffiti including a picture of a sailing ship, and navigational map of the world. Built in 1811, the jail served as the state penitentiary from 1820 to 1824. Prisoners were incarcerated there until 1913, although Lincoln County continued to hold prisoners there on court day until 1953.

Tours include a visit to the Jailer’s House, which was attached in 1839. While there, visitors can see can the jailer’s kitchen and barn where there is a collection of 19th century tools and farm implements. There’s also the expansive grounds to explore, which sloop gradually downhill to the Sheepscot River.

LCHA recently began its summer fundraising campaign. Kavanagh said the organization hopes to raise enough money this year to repair a portion of the granite blocks in the three-story jail portion of the building. Some structural damage resulted from moisture getting between the blocks and freezing during the winter. Repairs are estimated at around $40,000.

The repair work is also needed to better protect LCHA’s collection of archives including books, documents and other artifacts stored on the upper floor of the building.

Located on the upper end of Federal Street, the LCHA Museum and Old Jail is open Saturday and Sundays with guided tours from noon to 4 p.m.; admission is $5 per adult, children under 16 are admitted free. Admission is also free to LCHA members.

LCHA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1954. Along with the Museum and Old Jail, they maintain the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden and 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta which have also reopened for the summer. Volunteers and new memberships are always welcome. For more information, call Kavanagh at 207-882-4393 or visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org.