Eastern State Penitentiary
| Type | Historic site / Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 2027 Fairmount Avenue |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Fairmount |
| Phone | (215) 236-3300 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1829 (opened); 1994 (museum) |
| Visitors | 400,000+/year |
| Admission | $19 adults, $15 students |
| Hours | Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (varies seasonally) |
| Transit | SEPTA Bus 7, 32, 33, 48 |
| Architect | John Haviland |
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.[1]
History
Origins
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.
Architecture
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.
When it opened in 1829, Eastern State was the largest and most expensive building in America. Over 300 prisons worldwide copied its design.
The Pennsylvania System
The solitary confinement system aimed to bring prisoners to penitence (hence "penitentiary") through isolation, silence, and reflection:
- Prisoners lived alone 24 hours a day
- 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.
20th Century and Closure
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.
Famous Inmates
- 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.
- 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.
Visiting Today
Daytime Tours
The museum offers audio tours narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, guiding visitors through the crumbling cellblocks:
- The Cellblocks — Walk through deteriorating corridors and cells
- 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
Each fall, Eastern State transforms into one of America's premier haunted attractions:
- Six haunted houses within the prison
- 200+ actors and elaborate sets
- Multiple scare levels available
- Separate tickets from daytime tours
Special Programming
- The Searchlight Series — Events exploring mass incarceration and criminal justice reform
- Hands-On History*** — Interactive programming and tours
- Night tours — Extended evening hours in season
Current Condition
Eastern State is maintained in a state of "preserved ruin"—stabilized to prevent further collapse but not restored. This approach preserves the haunting atmosphere:
- Crumbling cellblocks with peeling paint
- Vegetation growing through walls
- Original fixtures and graffiti
- Skylights open to the elements
Getting There
- Address — 2027 Fairmount Avenue, at 22nd Street
- SEPTA Bus — Routes 7, 32, 33, 48
- Walking — 10 minutes from the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Parking — Street parking and nearby lots