Behind Bars at the Old Lorton Reformatory Part II

Over a six-month period in 2012 I had two opportunities to photograph the old Lorton Reformatory in Lorton, Va. The infamous prison which housed inmates from the District of Columbia but stood in Fairfax County in the Commonwealth of Virginia had a historical and controversial existence. What follows is the second part of that post. Please click “Continue Reading” see additional text and photos.

Today, more than a decade after its closing, Lorton Reformatory is home to The Workhouse Art Center. The art center is located at the front of the Lorton tract right beside Route 123 and a short drive from town of Occoquan, Va. The Workhouse is open to the public and offers the opportunity to see artists at work in their studios. Above is the front entrance to the Workhouse.

Visitors can stroll down the halls of the dorms where prisoners once lived (see photo above) and watch painters, sculptors and other artists created their newest masterpieces. The Workhouse
also features performing arts and holds classes.

There is also a museum at The Workhouse that tells the story of Lorton. Below is one of the old D.C. Department of Correction uniforms on display in the museum.

To get the full history of Lorton, please visit the Workhouse Web site.

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