By 1808Delaware
Tonight, there is one more chance to step inside one of downtown Delaware’s most distinctive historic buildings, and visitors can do considerably more than simply look around. The Delaware County Historic Jail and Sheriff’s Residence will hold its final open house of the year from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM during Delaware’s First Friday celebration.
Admission is free for the evening, which is being hosted by the Delaware County Historical Society in partnership with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
For anyone who has wondered what lies beyond the walls of the imposing Victorian-era building at 20 W. Central Ave., Friday offers a chance to find out.
Walk the Cells and Solve a Crime
Visitors will be able to walk through the historic jail cells and explore the adjoining former sheriff’s residence, getting an unusually close look at a building that once played an important role in Delaware County law enforcement.
There will also be a mystery to solve. Guests can put their investigative skills to work on “Who Stole the Sheriff’s Badge?” as they make their way through the building.
Younger visitors will have another attraction waiting outside, where they will be able to get an up-close look at a Delaware County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
Crime Through the Camera Lens
The evening will also feature “The Forensic Eye: Cameras and Crime,” an exhibit examining the role photography has played in criminal investigations. Historic cameras will help tell the story of how crime scene photography has changed over the years as both cameras and investigative techniques have evolved. The exhibit offers another perspective on the building’s law-enforcement history, connecting the era of the old jail with the methods used to document and investigate crime.
The Last Tour of 2026
Friday’s event carries a little extra significance because there will not be another opportunity to tour the building during an open house this year. That makes Delaware’s August First Friday the final chance of 2026 to walk through the cells, explore the sheriff’s residence, take in the camera exhibit and experience a piece of Delaware County history from the inside.
Again, the open house runs from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free, with donations to the Delaware County Historical Society welcomed.
