Thousands of visitors tour Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site every week without incident. That said, Eastern State Penitentiary was abandoned for more than 20 years and remains in a …

Eastern State preserves America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just …

After many years of lobbying from the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, the Pennsylvania Legislature approves funding to build the Eastern State …

This 45-minute tour is led by an Eastern State educator and explores the penitentiary’s complex history, its ongoing relevance to contemporary social issues, and sets the stage for …

Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary Learn More

In 1829, Eastern State opened, becoming America’s first penitentiary. From then until 1971, Eastern State Penitentiary saw more than 85,000 people pass through its front gate before it …

Built to the scale of Eastern State’s walls, this massive, three-dimensional bar graph sculpture illustrates the unprecedented growth in the United States’ incarceration rates since 1900. It …

Take a 10-minute guided tour to learn about the 120 people incarcerated at Eastern State who went on to serve in the military, plus the thousands of others who contributed to war efforts on …

Through historical accounts, guided tours, and hands-on activities, learn how people at Eastern State Penitentiary marked holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Day—finding …

In person at Eastern State. Members of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and all youth — join us for a day of interactive discussions and activities. Learn about the penitentiary’s …