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The Old Jail Museum

The Old Jail was built in 1913, a two story brick structure with a pyramidal roof. Except for the addition of a wing at the East elevation in 1930, the building has retained a remarkable degree of original detailing of the period. Particularly notable are the quoins, which frame the main building and are unusually stylish details for a jail. This is one of the oldest public buildings of Alexander County and one of the oldest jails still standing in North Carolina.


Today the Old Jail houses a small museum concerning the former jailers and their families who lived in the jail supervising the prisoners.

The Old Jail is also home to ACAAI's Genealogical Research Library. The collection includes local census, obituary files, family records as well as books, periodicals, microfilm, photographs and other research media. Here you can network with others who may be researching the same lines you are researching. Our volunteers can point you in the right direction with local history queries and resources.

The Alexander County Ancestry Association was formed in 1983 (originally as the Alexander County Genealogical Society). During 1986-87 this group published the Heritage Of Alexander County.

The Alexander County Ancestry Association, Inc. invites you to stop by see their exhibits, research your family's history, learn the history of our Old Jail. You can also choose from a selection of books available for purchase, calendars featuring historical stores in Alexander County, and the custom designed, jacquard woven coverlet/afghan of Alexander County, featuring historic landmarks.

Alexander Ancestry Association Hours: Saturday 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Tuesday 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM We have a very large collection of family histories and more!

During the 1990's the group that evolved to become ACAAI received a 25 year lease of the Old Jail in Taylorsville from Alexander County. The Old Jail Preservation Project began with the rebuilding of the porches and the reroofing of the building. Since completion of the remodeling, the upstairs of the Old Jail is now open to the public. There are 4 of 10 original jail cells still intact and are located upstairs.