UPPER SANDUSKY ― “The Shawshank Redemption” will be celebrated May 16-17 at the Shawshank Woodshop, 228 S. Eighth St. as part of the America 250 celebration, “Ohio Goes to the Movies.”
Bill Mullen, who owns the old Stephens Lumberyard (aka the Shawshank Woodshop) with his wife April, said “The Shawshank Redemption” will be showing Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, at 7 p.m. at the Star Theatre in Upper Sandusky.
The film will be followed by a panel of local extras and surprise guests involved in the filming, he said.
“Shawshank,” filmed in part at the Ohio State Reformatory and sites in and around North Central Ohio in 1993, stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
Admission is free, but tickets are required due to seating limitations. For free tickets, go to startheatre.org or call 419-294-1411.
The Wyandot County Courthouse was also in “Shawshank.”
The woodshop scene, which was filmed in Upper Sandusky, is when Andy (Robbins) locks himself in the warden’s office at OSR and plays Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” over the public address system which filters into the woodshop where Red (Freeman) and other inmates are working.
Across the alley from the Star Theatre, Traum Brewing will offer Shawshank-themed beers, including Red’s Ale and Banker’s Blonde, plus a special Pioneer brew that America’s founding fathers might have enjoyed.
On Saturday, May 16, from 1-5 p.m., an open house will be held at the Shawshank Woodshop with entertainment by Fret Mashers from 2-4 p.m.
During the open house, Revolution-era culture will be on display, with reenactors setting up an authentic camp showcasing period wagonry and dress.
The public can also view contents of the Wyandot County 1976 time capsule and offer suggestions for the 2026 time capsule.
Visitors also will have the opportunity to have their autograph included in an old safe, which will become the 2026 time capsule, to be opened on America’s 300th birthday in 2076.
On May 16 and 17 from 1-5 p.m., the open house continues with free accompanied and self-guided tours featuring items from the film, including the 1938 Bluebird Bus, 1941 Cadillac ambulance and 1960 Trailway bus.
Mullen said the Wyandot County Convention & Visitors Bureau is now located at the Shawshank Woodshop.
The Shawshank Woodshop also offers videos, photos and memorabilia regarding Shawshank experiences spanning 33 years, Mullen said.
For free tickets to the Shawshank Woodshop, call Bill Mullen at 419-835-5163 or email him at billmullen_7@msn.com
Contact Lou Whitmire at 419-521-7223 or reach her at X at @lwhitmir.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Wyandot County’s role in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’
Reporting by Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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