Huron Historic Gaol
181 Victoria St. N., Goderich, ON, N7A 2S9
519-524-6971 (Gaol entrance located on Gloucester Terrace)
The Huron Historic Gaol is a unique octagonal building which served as the County Jail from its opening in 1841 until closure in 1972. At the time of construction it was viewed as a model of humanitarian prison design. Originally the building served as Gaol for the Counties of Huron, Bruce & Perth but after the counties separated the building served only the County of Huron for the majority of its history.
Throughout its history the Gaol housed inmates registered for crimes from misdemeanors to criminal convictions, including three men who were hanged for crimes of murder. It also provided shelter as the House of Refuge for the ill, destitute and mentally ill. Men, women and children all spent time in the Gaol throughout its history.
The Gaol is now a National Historic Site visited by thousands of people each year. See admission rates and current hours below. Not wheelchair accessible.
Hours
May-August
M – 10 am-4:30 pm
T – 10 am-4:30 pm
W – 10 am-4:30 pm
T – 10 am-4:30 pm
F – 10 am-4:30 pm
S – 10 am – 4:30pm
S – 1 pm – 4:30 pm
September-October
M – 1-4 pm
T – 1-4 pm
W – 1-4 pm
T – 1-4 pm
F – 1-4 pm
S – 10 am – 4:30pm
S – 1 pm – 4:30 pm
November to April
Closed for the season
The Museum and Gaol are closed New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.
The Museum and Gaol are open Family Day (Museum only), Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Civic Holiday Monday.
Admission Rates
| REGULAR ADMISSION | SINGLE SITE | BOTH SITES | ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP |
| Family | $25 | $40 | $60 |
| Adult | $7.50 | $12.50 | $40 |
| Senior (65+)/Student | $7 | $11 | $30 |
| Child (6-12) | $5.50 | $8 | |
| Child (5 and under) | FREE | FREE | |
| Huron County Library Card | FREE | FREE |
Huron County Library Card Holders
Regular admission to the Museum and Gaol is available at no charge to those presenting a Huron County Library card.
Each Museum and Gaol visitor will be required to present their own library card, including children over the age of 5. Library cards are available at no charge to Huron County residents at any one of Huron County’s 12 library branch locations. Free admission is limited to regular admission rates only. Additional charges will still apply to workshops, programs (including Behind the Bars), special events, room rentals, group tours, memberships, archives use, and other events.