Kansas prison where In Cold Blood killers were executed opens for tours

The Kansas prison, which housed inmates since the 1860s, has been repurposed as a tourist attraction following its closure after the opening of the Lansing Correctional Facility in 2020. The Lansing Historical Society and Museum now oversees the site, which includes notable historical events such as the executions of Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, who were convicted of the infamous Clutter family murders in 1959. Their executions in April 1965 marked the end of hanging as a method of execution in the state. Tours of the prison will be conducted by former wardens and corrections officers, providing visitors with insights into the facility's history. The tours will take place on weekends until October 26, with plans to resume in the spring after a winter break due to the lack of heating and electricity. One of the highlights of the tour is the Chow Hall, where Johnny Cash performed for inmates in 1970, a testament to the prison's cultural significance. The initiative to convert the prison into a tourist attraction was inspired by a similar project in Missouri, which has been successful since 2009. The Lansing Historical Society's president expressed optimism about attracting large crowds eager to learn about the prison's past. Upcoming events, including a car show, are also planned to engage the community and draw visitors. This transformation reflects a growing trend of repurposing historical sites for educational and recreational purposes, allowing the public to explore and understand the complex narratives of the past while preserving the building's legacy.