An old power plant at Sing Sing could become a museum dedicated to the history of the infamous New York prison.

The nearly derelict building once supplied the power for the "Old Sparky" electric chair which executed Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1953 on espionage charges.

Supporters say the museum could house the chair and other artefacts, including prisoners' home-made weapons.

Sing Sing's reputation was burnished by Hollywood, which used it as the setting for many films.

The jail 48km up the Hudson from New York City also inspired the saying now synonymous with incarceration - "Up the river".

Museums at active prisons are rare. The power plant is on prison property but separated from the 1,600 inmates by a high wall topped with guard towers.