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{{Infobox Museum
{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Eastern State Penitentiary
| name = Eastern State Penitentiary
| type = Historic site / Museum
| image =
| image_caption = Gothic entrance to Eastern State Penitentiary
| type = Historic site, museum
| address = 2027 Fairmount Avenue
| address = 2027 Fairmount Avenue
| neighborhood = Fairmount
| neighborhood = Fairmount
| coordinates = 39.9683,-75.1727
| phone = (215) 236-3300
| phone = (215) 236-3300
| website = https://easternstate.org
| website = https://www.easternstate.org
| established = 1829 (opened); 1994 (museum)
| established = 1829
| architect = John Haviland
| founder = Pennsylvania Legislature
| annual_visitors = 400,000+
| owner = Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.
| admission = $19 adults, $15 students
| employees =
| hours = Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (varies seasonally)
| hours = Wed-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (seasonal variations)
| public_transit = SEPTA Bus 7, 32, 33, 48
| products = Historic tours, exhibits, Halloween events
| status = Museum (prison closed 1971)
}}
}}


'''Eastern State Penitentiary''' is a former prison turned museum and historic site located in [[Fairmount]], Philadelphia. Opened in 1829 as the world's first true penitentiary, Eastern State pioneered solitary confinement as a method of criminal rehabilitation. Today, the crumbling cellblocks attract over 400,000 visitors annually for tours exploring its revolutionary history, famous inmates, and controversial legacy.<ref name="esp-history">{{cite web |url=https://www.easternstate.org/explore/history |title=History |publisher=Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>
'''Eastern State Penitentiary''' is a former prison and current historic site located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue in the [[Fairmount, Philadelphia|Fairmount]] neighborhood. Operational from 1829 to 1971, the prison was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, pioneering the "separate system" of incarceration that influenced prison design globally. Today, it operates as a museum offering tours of the crumbling cellblocks, exhibits on criminal justice, and the annual "Halloween Nights" event.<ref name="esp">{{cite web |url=https://www.easternstate.org/about-eastern-state |title=About Eastern State |publisher=Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
 
The prison's striking Gothic Revival architecture, designed by John Haviland, was intended to inspire penitence in criminals through its imposing design. Its wagon-wheel floor plan and vaulted cellblocks became the model for over 300 prisons worldwide. Notable inmates included bank robber Willie Sutton and Chicago crime boss Al Capone, whose reconstructed cell remains a popular attraction.<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/eastern-state-penitentiary/ |title=Eastern State Penitentiary |publisher=Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


=== Origins ===
=== Origins and Philosophy ===


Eastern State Penitentiary was conceived by Philadelphia reformers, including Benjamin Franklin, who believed criminals could be reformed through isolation and reflection. The Pennsylvania System, as it came to be known, placed prisoners in solitary confinement 24 hours a day. Each cell had a private exercise yard, toilet, and skylight—amenities many homes lacked at the time.
Eastern State Penitentiary was conceived by Philadelphia Quakers and social reformers who believed that solitary confinement would lead criminals to genuine penitence—hence the word "penitentiary." The Pennsylvania Legislature authorized construction in 1821, and the prison opened on '''October 25, 1829'''.


=== Architecture ===
The prison pioneered the '''Pennsylvania System''' (also called the "separate system"), which mandated complete isolation of prisoners from one another. Each inmate lived, worked, and exercised alone in their cell, which included a private outdoor exercise yard. Prisoners wore hoods when moving through the facility to prevent any contact with other inmates.


Architect John Haviland designed the prison in a revolutionary hub-and-spoke layout, with seven cellblock wings radiating from a central surveillance hub. The Gothic fortress, with its imposing stone walls and castle-like towers, was designed to inspire awe and terror.
=== Construction and Architecture ===


When it opened in 1829, Eastern State was the largest and most expensive building in America. Over 300 prisons worldwide copied its design.
Architect '''John Haviland''' designed the prison in the Gothic Revival style, with castle-like walls and towers meant to convey the solemn nature of the institution. The design cost approximately $780,000—making it the most expensive building in America at the time of construction.


=== The Pennsylvania System ===
The prison featured a revolutionary '''radial floor plan''' with seven cellblocks extending from a central rotunda like spokes of a wheel. This design allowed guards in the central hub to observe all corridors simultaneously. Each cell measured approximately 8 by 12 feet with a 16-foot vaulted ceiling and included:


The solitary confinement system aimed to bring prisoners to penitence (hence "penitentiary") through isolation, silence, and reflection:
* Running water (rare even in the White House at the time)
* Flush toilet (decades before they were common)
* Central heating
* Skylight ("Eye of God" to encourage reflection)
* Private exercise yard


* Prisoners lived alone 24 hours a day
=== Famous Inmates ===
* Hoods covered inmates' faces when outside cells
* No contact with other prisoners
* Quaker-influenced emphasis on spiritual reflection
* Prisoners worked alone in their cells


Critics, including Charles Dickens who visited in 1842, condemned the system as psychologically damaging. The prison gradually abandoned strict solitary confinement due to overcrowding and changing views on rehabilitation.
==== Al Capone ====


=== 20th Century and Closure ===
Chicago crime boss '''Al Capone''' was incarcerated at Eastern State from May 18, 1929, to March 17, 1930, on charges of carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Capone's cell was notably luxurious, reportedly furnished with fine rugs, antique furniture, and a radio—privileges obtained through his influence and wealth.


Eastern State became increasingly overcrowded, eventually holding over 2,000 inmates in a facility designed for 450. The prison closed in 1971 after years of deterioration. The site sat abandoned for two decades before reopening as a museum in 1994.
Capone's cell in Cellblock 7 has been reconstructed to reflect its appearance during his incarceration and remains one of the most visited spots in the prison.


== Famous Inmates ==
==== Willie Sutton ====


* '''Al Capone''' (1929-1930) — The notorious Chicago gangster served 8 months for carrying a concealed weapon. His cell was lavishly furnished with rugs, paintings, and a radio.
Bank robber '''Willie Sutton''', famous for allegedly saying he robbed banks "because that's where the money is," was imprisoned at Eastern State multiple times and escaped in 1945 through a tunnel that took 12 prisoners over a year to dig.
* '''Willie Sutton''' (1934, 1945) — The bank robber escaped twice, once through a tunnel and once over the wall.
* '''Morris "The Rabbi" Bolber''' — Poison murder conspirator
* '''Pep "The Cat-Murdering Dog"*** — A dog sentenced to life imprisonment (though likely just a mascot)


Al Capone's reconstructed cell remains one of the most popular exhibits.
=== Decline and Closure ===


== Visiting Today ==
By the 20th century, the separate system had been abandoned due to cost and concerns about psychological harm to prisoners. Eastern State became an overcrowded conventional prison. After 142 years of operation, the prison closed on '''April 20, 1971''', when its remaining inmates were transferred to State Correctional Institution Graterford.


=== Daytime Tours ===
=== Preservation and Museum ===


The museum offers audio tours narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, guiding visitors through the crumbling cellblocks:
After closure, the prison sat abandoned and deteriorating for two decades. In 1994, it reopened for limited tours organized by the Eastern State Penitentiary Task Force. The site now operates as a full museum, preserving its "stabilized ruin" aesthetic rather than fully restoring the structures.


* The Cellblocks — Walk through deteriorating corridors and cells
== Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary ==
* Death Row — View the execution chamber (Pennsylvania ended executions here in 1962)
* Al Capone's Cell — Reconstructed to show his privileged accommodations
* Hospital Wing — Medical facilities in various states of decay
* Artist installations — Contemporary art addressing mass incarceration


=== Terror Behind the Walls ===
=== Tours ===


Each fall, Eastern State transforms into one of America's premier haunted attractions:
The museum offers several tour options:


* Six haunted houses within the prison
* '''Hands-On History Tour:''' Interactive guided tour exploring prison life and architecture
* 200+ actors and elaborate sets
* '''Audio Tour:''' Self-guided tour narrated by Steve Buscemi
* Multiple scare levels available
* '''Night Tours:''' Flashlight tours on select evenings
* Separate tickets from daytime tours
* '''Specialty Tours:''' Focused tours on architecture, history, or specific themes


=== Special Programming ===
=== Exhibits ===


* '''The Searchlight Series''' — Events exploring mass incarceration and criminal justice reform
Permanent and rotating exhibits address:
* '''Hands-On History*** — Interactive programming and tours
* The history of the prison and its inmates
* '''Night tours''' — Extended evening hours in season
* Criminal justice reform and mass incarceration
* The prison's architectural influence
* Art installations responding to themes of justice and confinement


== Current Condition ==
=== Halloween Nights ===


Eastern State is maintained in a state of "preserved ruin"—stabilized to prevent further collapse but not restored. This approach preserves the haunting atmosphere:
Each fall, Eastern State hosts '''Halloween Nights''' (formerly "Terror Behind the Walls"), one of the nation's largest and most elaborate Halloween events. The event transforms portions of the prison into haunted attractions with professional theatrical effects.


* Crumbling cellblocks with peeling paint
The event typically runs from late September through early November. Tickets sell out quickly; advance purchase is recommended.
* Vegetation growing through walls
* Original fixtures and graffiti
* Skylights open to the elements


== Getting There ==
=== Hours and Admission ===


* '''Address''' — 2027 Fairmount Avenue, at 22nd Street
* '''Hours:''' Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (check website for seasonal variations)
* '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 7, 32, 33, 48
* '''Admission:''' Approximately $19-21 for adults (prices vary; check website)
* '''Walking''' — 10 minutes from the Philadelphia Museum of Art
* '''Discounts:''' Available for students, seniors, and Philadelphia residents
* '''Parking''' — Street parking and nearby lots


== Frequently Asked Questions ==
=== Getting There ===


{{FAQ
* '''SEPTA Bus:''' Routes 7, 32, 33, 43, 48
|q1=Is Eastern State Penitentiary really haunted?
* '''Street Parking:''' Available on surrounding blocks (metered and residential)
|a1=Eastern State is famous for paranormal claims, featured on numerous ghost hunting shows. Staff and visitors have reported strange sounds, apparitions, and cold spots. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the crumbling prison provides an atmospheric experience. Terror Behind the Walls is theatrical horror, not actual ghost hunting.
* '''Lot Parking:''' Limited paid parking nearby


|q2=How long was Al Capone at Eastern State?
=== Best Time to Visit ===
|a2=Al Capone served about 8 months at Eastern State (1929-1930) for carrying a concealed weapon—his first prison sentence. His cell was famously luxurious, with oriental rugs, fine furniture, and a radio. The reconstructed cell remains a popular exhibit.


|q3=Why is Eastern State crumbling?
* '''Weekday mornings:''' Least crowded
|a3=The prison closed in 1971 and sat abandoned for over 20 years. Rather than fully restore it, the museum maintains Eastern State in "preserved ruin"—structurally stabilized but showing the decay of time. This approach creates a unique atmosphere that full restoration would destroy.
* '''Avoid:''' Halloween season weekends (extremely crowded)
 
* '''Photography:''' Overcast days provide even lighting in the cellblocks
|q4=What was the Pennsylvania System?
|a4=The Pennsylvania System was Eastern State's pioneering approach to incarceration: complete solitary confinement intended to bring prisoners to penitence through isolation and reflection. Prisoners lived alone 24/7 with no contact with others. The system was influential but ultimately criticized as psychologically damaging.
}}


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


* [[Fairmount]]
* [[Fairmount, Philadelphia]]
* [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]
* [[Holmesburg Prison]]
* [[Criminal Justice in Philadelphia]]
* [[Criminal Justice in Philadelphia]]
* [[Al Capone]]
* [[Historic Sites in Philadelphia]]
* [[Halloween in Philadelphia]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 124: Line 118:
== External Links ==
== External Links ==


* [https://easternstate.org Official Website]
* [https://www.easternstate.org Eastern State Penitentiary Official Website]
* [https://easternstate.org/halloween Terror Behind the Walls]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/eastern-state-penitentiary/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]
* [https://www.nps.gov/places/eastern-state-penitentiary.htm National Park Service]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Eastern State Penitentiary - Historic Prison and Museum in Philadelphia
|title=Eastern State Penitentiary Philadelphia - Tours, History, and Visitor Guide
|description=Eastern State Penitentiary, the world's first true penitentiary, is now a museum featuring Al Capone's cell, crumbling cellblocks, and Terror Behind the Walls haunted attraction.
|description=Complete guide to Eastern State Penitentiary, the historic Philadelphia prison that once held Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Tour information, Halloween Nights, history, and visitor tips.
|keywords=Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia prison, Al Capone cell, Terror Behind the Walls, haunted prison, Philadelphia museums, Fairmount
|keywords=Eastern State Penitentiary, Al Capone prison cell, Philadelphia haunted prison, Terror Behind the Walls, Halloween Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary tours, historic prison Philadelphia, Fairmount prison
|type=Article
|type=Article
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[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Historic Buildings]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Fairmount]]
[[Category:Fairmount]]
[[Category:Prisons]]
[[Category:Attractions]]
[[Category:Attractions]]

Latest revision as of 21:04, 30 December 2025

Eastern State Penitentiary
TypeHistoric site, museum
Address2027 Fairmount Avenue
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodFairmount
Phone(215) 236-3300
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1829
FounderPennsylvania Legislature
OwnerEastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.
HoursWed-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (seasonal variations)
ProductsHistoric tours, exhibits, Halloween events
StatusMuseum (prison closed 1971)
Eastern State Penitentiary(215) 236-33002027 Fairmount AvenuePhiladelphiaPAUS

Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison and current historic site located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue in the Fairmount neighborhood. Operational from 1829 to 1971, the prison was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, pioneering the "separate system" of incarceration that influenced prison design globally. Today, it operates as a museum offering tours of the crumbling cellblocks, exhibits on criminal justice, and the annual "Halloween Nights" event.[1]

The prison's striking Gothic Revival architecture, designed by John Haviland, was intended to inspire penitence in criminals through its imposing design. Its wagon-wheel floor plan and vaulted cellblocks became the model for over 300 prisons worldwide. Notable inmates included bank robber Willie Sutton and Chicago crime boss Al Capone, whose reconstructed cell remains a popular attraction.[2]

History

[edit | edit source]

Origins and Philosophy

[edit | edit source]

Eastern State Penitentiary was conceived by Philadelphia Quakers and social reformers who believed that solitary confinement would lead criminals to genuine penitence—hence the word "penitentiary." The Pennsylvania Legislature authorized construction in 1821, and the prison opened on October 25, 1829.

The prison pioneered the Pennsylvania System (also called the "separate system"), which mandated complete isolation of prisoners from one another. Each inmate lived, worked, and exercised alone in their cell, which included a private outdoor exercise yard. Prisoners wore hoods when moving through the facility to prevent any contact with other inmates.

Construction and Architecture

[edit | edit source]

Architect John Haviland designed the prison in the Gothic Revival style, with castle-like walls and towers meant to convey the solemn nature of the institution. The design cost approximately $780,000—making it the most expensive building in America at the time of construction.

The prison featured a revolutionary radial floor plan with seven cellblocks extending from a central rotunda like spokes of a wheel. This design allowed guards in the central hub to observe all corridors simultaneously. Each cell measured approximately 8 by 12 feet with a 16-foot vaulted ceiling and included:

  • Running water (rare even in the White House at the time)
  • Flush toilet (decades before they were common)
  • Central heating
  • Skylight ("Eye of God" to encourage reflection)
  • Private exercise yard

Famous Inmates

[edit | edit source]

Al Capone

[edit | edit source]

Chicago crime boss Al Capone was incarcerated at Eastern State from May 18, 1929, to March 17, 1930, on charges of carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Capone's cell was notably luxurious, reportedly furnished with fine rugs, antique furniture, and a radio—privileges obtained through his influence and wealth.

Capone's cell in Cellblock 7 has been reconstructed to reflect its appearance during his incarceration and remains one of the most visited spots in the prison.

Willie Sutton

[edit | edit source]

Bank robber Willie Sutton, famous for allegedly saying he robbed banks "because that's where the money is," was imprisoned at Eastern State multiple times and escaped in 1945 through a tunnel that took 12 prisoners over a year to dig.

Decline and Closure

[edit | edit source]

By the 20th century, the separate system had been abandoned due to cost and concerns about psychological harm to prisoners. Eastern State became an overcrowded conventional prison. After 142 years of operation, the prison closed on April 20, 1971, when its remaining inmates were transferred to State Correctional Institution Graterford.

Preservation and Museum

[edit | edit source]

After closure, the prison sat abandoned and deteriorating for two decades. In 1994, it reopened for limited tours organized by the Eastern State Penitentiary Task Force. The site now operates as a full museum, preserving its "stabilized ruin" aesthetic rather than fully restoring the structures.

Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary

[edit | edit source]

Tours

[edit | edit source]

The museum offers several tour options:

  • Hands-On History Tour: Interactive guided tour exploring prison life and architecture
  • Audio Tour: Self-guided tour narrated by Steve Buscemi
  • Night Tours: Flashlight tours on select evenings
  • Specialty Tours: Focused tours on architecture, history, or specific themes

Exhibits

[edit | edit source]

Permanent and rotating exhibits address:

  • The history of the prison and its inmates
  • Criminal justice reform and mass incarceration
  • The prison's architectural influence
  • Art installations responding to themes of justice and confinement

Halloween Nights

[edit | edit source]

Each fall, Eastern State hosts Halloween Nights (formerly "Terror Behind the Walls"), one of the nation's largest and most elaborate Halloween events. The event transforms portions of the prison into haunted attractions with professional theatrical effects.

The event typically runs from late September through early November. Tickets sell out quickly; advance purchase is recommended.

Hours and Admission

[edit | edit source]
  • Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (check website for seasonal variations)
  • Admission: Approximately $19-21 for adults (prices vary; check website)
  • Discounts: Available for students, seniors, and Philadelphia residents

Getting There

[edit | edit source]
  • SEPTA Bus: Routes 7, 32, 33, 43, 48
  • Street Parking: Available on surrounding blocks (metered and residential)
  • Lot Parking: Limited paid parking nearby

Best Time to Visit

[edit | edit source]
  • Weekday mornings: Least crowded
  • Avoid: Halloween season weekends (extremely crowded)
  • Photography: Overcast days provide even lighting in the cellblocks

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "About Eastern State". Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Retrieved December 30, 2025
  2. ↑ "Eastern State Penitentiary". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025
[edit | edit source]
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