These two keys were added to the collections of the Schoharie County Historical Society more than 109 years apart.
The improvised “key” on the bottom right was donated to the historical society sometime before 1899 by Mrs. Jehial Brazee and was at some point crafted with available materials and used by prisoners to escape from the old Schoharie jail. The key on the top right was donated to the historical society 109 years later by Gene Vrooman and is a hand forged cell key actually used in the jail.
Several of the characteristics of both keys are strikingly similar, including the unique right angle and the general shape of the bittings, or notches.
