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Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone.
- Daytime Prison Tours
Explore Eastern States historic cellblocks. Learn about the...
- Purchase Tickets
Eastern State Penitentiary America's Most Historic Prison...
- About
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and...
- Site Rentals
Eastern State Penitentiary does not offer paranormal...
- Events
BSA scouts, GSUSA scouts, and all youth — join us to learn...
- Audio Tour
This rich, stereo soundscape mixes dozens of voices –...
- Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
This 45-minute in-depth, guide-led tour explores Eastern...
- Hands On History
These short tours take place throughout the penitentiary,...
- Exhibits
The series debuted in August 2019 when the 20 newly...
- Daytime Prison Tours
The Eastern State Penitentiary ( ESP) is a former American prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [6] It is located in the Fairmount section of the city, and was operational from 1829 until 1971. The penitentiary refined the revolutionary system of separate incarceration, first pioneered at the Walnut Street Jail, which emphasized principles of ...
- 1829
- Gothic Revival
- John Haviland
- 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When Eastern State opened more than 180 years ago, it changed the world. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. The building itself was an architectural wonder; it had running water and central heat before the White House, and attracted ...
Learn how Philadelphia led the way in prison reform with the Pennsylvania System, which isolated prisoners in solitary cells for repentance and rehabilitation. Discover the history, architecture, and legacy of Eastern State Penitentiary, the world's first prison of this kind.
Eastern State Penitentiary, former prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., that opened in 1829 as the first true penitentiary, designed to encourage penitence, rather than offering merely punishment for prisoners. It provided a model for approximately 300 prison buildings worldwide. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, the building now operates as a museum.
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Learn about the history and architecture of Eastern State Penitentiary, the world's first full-scale prison based on total isolation of inmates. Explore how the \"Pennsylvania System\" influenced prison reform and society in the nineteenth century.
