Clay Teens To Act Out Historical Crimes at Old Jail

'Tales of the Clink' Comes Back on Friday the 13th

Teen actors will again perform historic Clay County crimes and court cases at the Old Jail from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13. “Tales of the Clink” will showcase the drama students at Ridgeview High School.

The production will include murder-trial reenactments at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., interactions with Old Jail “inmates” in the actual cell blocks. Reenactors will engage in story-telling on jail grounds and outside the old Railroad Depot (look out!). Battery operated candles will be on loan for the duration, and there will be numerous selfie opportunities amidst the drama and holiday decor. Music will be from the 1920s.

This event is possible thanks to the talent of Ridgeview drama students led by teacher Lindsay McDade. The “true crimes” were researched by Historical Archives Supervisor Vishi Garig. The students themselves used that core of truth to write their own scripts and to develop characters, bringing the stories to life.

Garig’s office is a division of the Clay County Clerk of Courts. A court spokesperson said:

One of our office’s major duties is the recording of and preservation of all county records, and that includes the really old ones, too. For Clay County, that takes us all the way back to the 1850s. Our Archives Division takes it a huge step further by using these 100-plus year old records to bring history to life, in partnership with our friends in Clay County District Schools, county tourism, local law enforcement, and the Historical Society. 

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for students (cash only). Proceeds go to Archives Inc., the not-for-profit through which many Historical Archives Center improvements are made.

Learn more about the Historical Archives Division.