Eastern State Penitentiary

Category:

Locations

Location:

Fairmount

Price:

Under $10

Demographic:

All ages, but children under seven not admitted.

URL:

http://www.easternstate.org

Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary soon became a model for prisons around the world. The prison was designed around what became known as the Pennsylvania System. In this system, prisoners endured solitary confinement in conjunction with labor. It was believed that through this system, inmates would develop remorse for their actions and wish to mend their ways. While it was open, Eastern State Penitentiary housed a number of famous prisoners, including Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Today, thirty years after it closed it doors, tours are offered on a daily basis.

The “Voices of Eastern State” audio tour is included with admission, and brings the now-silent corridors to life with the sounds of those who once inhabited them. On your tour, you will visit cell blocks, exercise yards, death row, and a number of other areas of the facility. Several artists have also contributed pieces to the establishment, including an exhibit on the family of cats that lived on the property after it was abandoned, and a video presentation on the realities of prison life. The “Voices of Eastern State” tour is recommended for those ages twelve and up. A special family tour called “Keys to the Past” is also offered daily. This interactive tour allows families to examine artifacts to discover the story of Eastern State. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $4 for children. Children under the age of seven cannot be admitted.