From the Archives: The old Virginia State Penitentiary

The Virginia State Penitentiary, known as the Pen, occupied 17 acres at the intersection of Spring Street and South Second Street in downtown Richmond. This facility maintained a long history, remaining in service for nearly 200 years before its eventual closure. Additionally, archival records provide a collection of photographs documenting Robbin Thompson through the years. These sources preserve the historical legacy of the Richmond penitentiary and the visual history associated with the individual Robbin Thompson.