Learn About the Dark History of Medieval Torture Devices
Step back into the medieval times when torment and torture were common. Our exhibit displays gruesome mechanisms once legally used by governments and religious institutions to interrogate, humiliate, punish and maim citizens. You'll see dozens of complex instruments and tools used to inflict suffering in the name of justice, including an eye-gouger and rat chair.
There's a lot to learn about these artifacts from medieval times. Our museum provides proper representation without all the gore, so this exhibit is suitable for all ages.
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Careful Where You Sit — There's an Antique Electric Chair
You'll also come across an electric chair in our crime and punishment exhibit. The device was first used in 1890 as a death penalty for prisoners. Some other ways the law dealt with criminals in this era included shootings and gas chambers.
Crime rates began to climb in the 1920s and 1930s. Driven initially by prohibition, criminals earned their money by providing illegal goods and services such as bootlegging or gambling. Tax evasion, bank robberies and murder rates also surged. Called the Gangster Era, this time is known for famous criminals, including Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone and John Dillinger.
Several Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials became well-known in the 1930s for creating a modern force for fighting crime. The FBI created a list of public enemies and began to display "Wanted Dead or Alive" posters. You can learn about these charges and crimes at the Volo Museum.
Serve Some Time in a Real Jail Cell From the 1800s
Wonder what's it like to stand behind bars? Take advantage of a photo opportunity in an authentic jail cell from the 1800s. Prisoners during that time were often held in old buildings, like castles. Men, women and children were all mixed together in overcrowded, unsanitary and damp environments, regardless of their mental state or whether they committed severe or petty crimes.
Take a Look at the Famous Bonnie and Clyde Car
Our crime and punishment artifacts were amassed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A showman traveled the country gathering the items until he died of unnatural causes in the 1940s.
During that period, another showman embarked on a tour claiming to possess the "Authentic" Bonnie and Clyde Death Car, but little did people know, it was all a cunning fraud. This car was just one of five vehicles that were deceptively paraded around, leading to its eventual confiscation and the prosecution of its unscrupulous owner. However, fate had other plans for this notorious automobile, as it found its way into the hands of Warner Bros after being seized. The studio recognized its potential for movie magic and utilized it in the production of the iconic film "Bonnie and Clyde," with stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. We also showcase the 1934 Buick used on screen by Johnny Depp in “Public Enemies.”
Plan Your Visit to the Volo Museum
With 45 exhibits, everyone can enjoy something at the Volo Museum. We showcase over 10,000 mechanical marvels, including cars, bikes, scooters, boats, snowmobiles, trains and jets. Check out our hours of operation and ticket prices to plan your visit today!
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