Skip to content. The halls were designed to have the feel of a church. Notable visitors included Charles Dickens and Alexis de Tocqueville while notable inmates included Willie Sutton and Al Capone in 1929. The Penitentiary held such criminals as Al "Scarface" Capone and bank robber "Slick" Willie. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eastern State's revolutionary system of incarceration, dubbed the "Pennsylvania system" or separate system, encouraged separate confinement as a form of rehabilitation. The Pennsylvania system was opposed contemporaneously by the Auburn system (also known as the New York system), which held that prisoners should be forced to work together in silence, and could be subjected to physical punishment (Sing Sing prison was an example of the Auburn system). Eastern State’s history matters today more than ever. 7) In 1929, mobster Al Capone served seven months in Eastern State Penitentiary for carrying a concealed unlicensed weapon, the first prison sentence in his illustrious history of crime. In these challenging times, one of the best ways to show your support is to become an Eastern State Member. In the PlayStation 2 game The Suffering, players can find a video documentary of Eastern State Penitentary, one of the inspirations for the game. Although the Auburn system was favored in the United States, Eastern State's radial floor plan and system of solitary confinement was the model for over 300 prisons worldwide. The building itself was an architectural wonder; it had running water and central heat before the White House, and attracted visitors from around the globe. Open today: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Save. The remaining inmates were sent to the State Correctional Institution at Graterford. From 1829 to 1971, the Eastern State Penitentiary operated as one of the most famous and most expensive prisons in history. [14], Prior to its closing in late 1969, Eastern State Penitentiary (then known as State Correctional Institution, Philadelphia) had established a far reaching program of group therapy with the goal of having all inmates involved. An interesting aspect was that the groups were led by two therapists, one from the psych or social work staff, and the second from the prison officer staff. Directed by Tony Alosi. The experiment, to reform criminals through strict isolation other than daily visits from the warden and guards, soon became a model for prison design worldwide. Radial Plan T-Shirt. Search Cart. Eastern State was functional for 141 years until 1970 when the prison closed down. To its critics, it was notorious for its use of solitary confinement; to its advocates, it was praiseworthy for a system that allowed prisoners to have space for proper self-reflection. Eastern State Penitentiary is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is considered one of the most haunted prisons in the world. The Eastern State Penitentiary was originally constructed as a radical departure from other prisons of its time. When the prison finished its construction in 1829, it was the enormous building in the US. 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. 6,276 Reviews #2 of 457 things to do in Philadelphia. Each cell was solitary confinement for the prisoner’s entire sentence. The historic prison set a new standard for architecture and design and was used as a model for 300 other prisons around the globe. Operated from 1829 until 1971, Eastern State was one of the first modern penitentiaries. A child-sized door at the back of the room (not shown), long since boarded up, used to lead to an individual exercise area open to the sky and was the cell’s original entrance. The Federal Government declares Eastern State a National Historic Landmark. In 1994, Eastern State opened to the public for history tours. The warden was legally required to visit every inmate every day, and the overseers were mandated to see each inmate three times a day. Due to its ominous appearance, gloomy atmosphere, and long history, Eastern State has been used as a location for television programs and films about hauntings. This design proved impractical, and in the middle of construction, cells were constructed that allowed prisoners to enter and leave the cell blocks through metal doors that were covered by a heavy wooden door to filter out noise. History. [citation needed] In 2003, four semi-permanent haunted attractions were constructed inside the penitentiary complex. The author describes the history of its philosophy and construction, as well as facts regarding the massive penitentiary. Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary was built in the 1820s, inspired by Enlightenment ideas and Quaker belief in solitary reflection and penitence. But in the 1780s, a team of thinkers that included Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Benjamin Rush met to discuss a new and better way to deal with criminals. Take advantage of our virtual member programming from the comfort of home, and shop our online store with your 20% discount. (This Philadelphia tradition sadly ended in 2018. The prison's most famous figure was Warden Herbert "Hardboiled" Smith who ruled the prison with an iron first during the 1920s and '30s. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Carol Highsmith. Once you’ve got your headset, you’re off on a self-guided tour. In 1971 it was officially closed by the state of Pennsylvania. A detailed paper that outlines the history of one of Philadelphia’s national historical landmarks, Eastern State Penitentiary. The exterior of Eastern State Penitentiary. Each July, there is a Bastille Day celebration, complete with a comedic reinterpretation of the storming of the Bastille and the tossing of thousands of Tastykakes from the towers,[19] accompanied by a cry of "let them eat Tastykake!" [36] The early events took various forms, including short theatrical performances and true tales of prison murder and violence. Designed by John Haviland and opened on October 25, 1829, Eastern State is considered to be the world's first true penitentiary. Visitors spoke with prisoners in their cells, proving that inmates were not isolated, though the prisoners themselves were not allowed to have any visits with family or friends during their stay. During the abandoned era (from closing until the late 80s) a "forest" grew in the cell blocks and outside within the walls. [36] In 1995, the event was rebranded as "Terror Behind the Walls", becoming a high startle, low gore walkthrough haunted attraction. )[20], The museum attracts close to 220,000 visitors each year. The facility was operated under the Pennsylvania System from 1829 to 1913. Eastern State Penitentiary History. Eastern State held the likes of Willie Sutton and Al Capone. This prison believed to be haunted by its visitors and has been featured in many TV shows. When it’s safe to reopen, you can enjoy our full array of benefits including free admission, guest passes and more. Throughout the complex you’ll have the opportunity to step into a prisoner’s shoes and get a brief taste of life at the Eastern State Penitentiary when a guide literally hands you the keys to a cell. At the time of its completion, the Eastern State Penitentiary was the most expensive public structure ever built, and the design was later copied to create another 300 prisons worldwide. This design is related to penance and ties to the religious inspiration of the prison. The guards and inmates of Eastern State Penitentiary began reporting hauntings in the 1940s. Philadelphia punk band the Dead Milkmen's breakout hit "Punk Rock Girl" included footage of the band in the prison as well as driving through the surrounding Fairmount neighborhood. Book In Advance. [42] The 2000 film Animal Factory, directed by Steve Buscemi relied heavily on Eastern State in its portrayal of a prison in a state of advancing decay. The prison was constructed to confine 253 prisoners, each one of them has an isolated confinement cell. The church viewed imprisonment, usually in isolation, as an instrument that would modify sinful or disruptive behavior. You move at your own pace and can start/stop/repeat the narration and adjust the volume as needed. "Terror Behind the Walls" is an annual Haunted House Halloween event run by the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. (ESPHS). Paranormal TV shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, BuzzFeed Unsolved[41] and MTV's Fear explored the paranormal at Eastern State. You’ll start at the far end of Cell Block 1 which will ultimately lead you to the hub of the prison. "Brief sketch of the origin and history of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia." During renovations in the 1930s an additional 30 incomplete inmate-dug tunnels were discovered. The prison also became home to many stray cats. In addition, Eastern State holds many special events throughout the year. In the 1890s, Eastern State Penitentiary's seven cellblocks radiated from a room known as "Center." U.S. National Register of Historic Places, List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia, National Register of Historic Places listings in North Philadelphia, "Eastern State Penitentiary – Treasures of Pennsylvania", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Eastern State Penintentiary", "Inside decaying US prison, former inmates are guides", "Perimeter Lighting | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Rotunda and Links Roofing | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Industrial Building Stabilization | Eastern State Penitentiary", "The Penitentiary Hospital | Eastern State Penitentiary", "The Penitentiary Greenhouse | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Funders for the Synagogue Restoration | Eastern State Penitentiary", "2007 – 2008 Solarium Roof Restoration Donors | Eastern State Penitentiary", "2008 – 2009 Kitchen and Bakery Roof Protection Donors | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Eastern State Penitentiary's Kitchen and Bakery | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Donors to The Operating Room of the Hospital Block | Eastern State Penitentiary", "The Operating Room of the Hospital Block | Eastern State Penitentiary", "Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary Announces 2017 Season with New Haunted Attraction Blood Yard", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHXLbp7x3MM, US National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania, History of the National Register of Historic Places. The time spent in prison would help inmates reflect on their crimes committed, giving them the mission for redemption. [21], The tour ends with an exhibit titled "Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration" which informs guests about the US prison system today and its failings. In 2012, the soundtrack to the film Alpha Girls was recorded in Eastern State Penitentiary by the band Southwork.[43]. Still today, people report hearing scared screams, talking, whispering, footsteps, laughing, and even crying. [21], The facility was kept in "preserved ruin", meaning no significant renovation or restoration was attempted, until 1991, when The Pew Charitable Trusts provided funding so that stabilization and preservation efforts could begin.[22]. The Eastern State Penitentiary operates as a museum and historic site, open year-round. United States ; Pennsylvania (PA) Philadelphia ; Philadelphia - Things to Do ; Eastern State Penitentiary; Search. 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. Eastern State Penitentiary is believed to be one of the very first prisons established, not only in the United States, but in the world. Known as being the most expensive building built in the U.S. at the time, the Eastern State Penitentiary became a prototype in design to 300 prisons. Walnut Street Prison, ... Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, was hired to assist but instead of featuring seven radiating wings like at Eastern State, Western Penitentiary would feature three main wings with 230 cells connected to an administration building. Eastern State's revolutionary system of incarceration, dubbed the "Pennsylvania system" or separate system, encouraged separate confinement as a form of rehabilitation. The Eastern State Penitentiary was part of a movement that was considered to be highly controversial at the time. Opened in 1829 and not closed until 1971, this prison housed 75,000 inmates during its nearly 150 years of operation. This prison first opened in 1829 and operated until 1971, it was designed to hold 253 inmates. A look inside the walls of the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. and the first-time offenders often served two years. Flex Ticket. For the show, the prison was renamed Northern State Penitentiary. In the fall of 1829, the penitentiary opened to admit its first priso… At the time, it was the only 3-D haunted house in Southeastern Pennsylvania and one of the first in the United States. U.S. District Court for the Eastern Dist. They were built and designed by prisoners. Eastern State Penitentiary. Now a national landmark, the prison was designed in a revolutionary wagon wheel shape which became a globally adopted style. One of the most haunted places in the world is the Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There’s no question that Eastern State Penitentiary is the creepiest place in Philadelphia. Here’s a brief history of Eastern State Penitentiary. Here’s a brief history of Eastern State Penitentiary. Last year, I took a tour of the ruins and walked through the former cell blocks, prison cells, and offices. The “separate system,” was meant to reform rather than intimidate its inmates. The prison was designed to hold 253 prisoners, each occupying a solitary confinement cell for their entire sentence. Eastern State Penitentiary: Crucible of Good Intentions. conducted and broadcast a paranormal investigation live (for the first time in the United States) from Eastern State Penitentiary for seven continuous hours hoping to come in contact with supernatural beings. Eastern State Penitentiary: history and facts - See 6,265 traveler reviews, 4,563 candid photos, and great deals for Philadelphia, PA, at Tripadvisor. Use the resources below for more information about the history of Eastern State Penitentiary. When Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, spectators from around the world marveled at its grand architecture and radical philosophy.. The prison was constructed to confine 253 prisoners, each one of them has an isolated confinement cell. Eastern State Penitentiary is an imposing and dark landmark in Philadelphia’s historic landscape, and its history is still incredibly important not just for the city, but the history of criminal justice reform and incarceration as a whole. In reality, it drove many prisoners insane. Looming on the horizon like a storm cloud made of stone, the Eastern State Penitentiary spent more than a century as the fortress that both the law-abiding and criminal feared. Cell block 15 was for the worst behaved prisoners, and the guards were gated off from there entirely. Eastern State Penitentiary. At the time this form of punishment was thought to be most effective. [8] He gave the prison a neo-Gothic look to instill fear into those who thought of committing a crime. History - Eastern State Penitentiary. Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off … Eastern state penitentiary is recognized to be one of the most haunted places in the whole wide world. Most of the early prisoners were petty criminals incarcerated for various robbery and theft charges (muggers, pickpockets, purse-snatchers, burglars, etc.) Exercise time for each prisoner was synchronized so no two prisoners next to each other would be out at the same time. [11], Outside the cell was an individual area for exercise, enclosed by high walls so prisoners could not communicate. 6,283 Reviews #2 of 458 things to do in Philadelphia. The term ‘penitentiary’ originated with Eastern State. Submit. Close search. In reality, the system which placed … Eastern State Penitentiary Reflection Paper Eastern State Penitentiary is believed to be one of the very first prisons established, not only in the United States, but in the world. Eastern State Penitentiary was built in 1829 and operated until 1971 when the prison was closed. When Eastern State Penitentiary opened 180 years ago it was the most expensive and high-tech prison in the world. The solitary confinement system eventually collapsed due to overcrowding problems. The Locksmith One major paranormal episode reported occurred to a … Eastern State Penitentiary And Some Notable Prisoners: The prison is built in the design of a wagon wheel, with a central tower overlooking eight cell blocks that radiated away in different directions. Opens external website. Prison records reflect that Pep was assigned an inmate number (no. [17] Once construction of the prison was completed in 1836, it could house 450 prisoners.[18]. Registration is required. A scavenger hunt is available for children. [9] Critic and activist John Neal in 1841 expressed revulsion at the international reputation of "a nation that broke away from all its bands and fetters, only fifty or sixty years ago — overthrowing prisons, palaces, and thrones in her march toward universal emancipation, already renowned throughout the whole earth, for her prisons, her manacles, and her badges of servitude. The prison was closed in 1971. The original design of the building was for seven one-story cell blocks, but by the time cell block three was completed, the prison was already over capacity. A look inside the walls of the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. A ghost named James Clark, who was murdered by Al Capone, was said to also appear and haunt the inmates of the penitentiary. Eastern State was functional for 141 years until 1970 when the prison closed down. [36][37], In 2001, it was broken up into three separate, smaller haunted attractions, including a 3-D haunted house. Designed by John Haviland, Eastern State was an architectural masterpiece that was the first true penitentiary that created a new system of prisoner isolation. History Museums. This Gothic-like structure towered over Philadelphia. Before the American Revolution, crimes in the colonies were punishable by fines or by physical means — often in public. This system, used by the Quakers, was designed to force the incorrigibles sent there to look inside themselves and find God. Each cell was solitary confinement for the prisoner’s entire sentence. Over the next two decades, it sat abandoned and neglected as … The Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 with the purpose of offering a new and humane kind of prison reform for its convicts in what is known as the Pennsylvania system. Visitors are allowed to walk into several specially marked solitary confinement cells, but most of them remain off limits and filled with original rubble and debris from years of neglect. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod. Over two hundred thousand visitors flock to Eastern State Penitentiary in the historic neighbourhood of Fairmount in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania every year to see one of the most historically-important buildings in the entire United States. C2559), which is seen in his mug shot. [8] Its architectural significance first arose in 1821, when British architect John Haviland was chosen to design the building. Don’t miss the Hands-On History interactive experiences! The City of Philadelphia purchased the property with the intention of redeveloping it. Eastern State Penitentiary Events & Exhibits. A contemporary newspaper article reported that the governor donated his own dog to the prison to increase inmate morale.[1]. In 1988, the Eastern State Penitentiary Task Force successfully petitioned Mayor Wilson Goode to halt redevelopment. When Eastern State opened more than 180 years ago, it changed the world. The History of Eastern State Penitentiary. The Eastern State Penitentiary looms over Philadelphia like an ominous fortress.. Notorious criminals such as Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton were held inside its innovative wagon wheel design. In June 2008, Paramount Pictures used parts of Eastern State Penitentiary for the filming of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. United States ; Pennsylvania (PA) Philadelphia ; Things to Do in Philadelphia ; Eastern State Penitentiary; Search. Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons The first prison reform group in the world founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush. Along the way, you learn about prison life in the late 1700s. They would be separated from others. Vaux, Richard, 1816-1895. Eastern State Penitentiary Facts. [38] The 2016 event also included six attractions: Lock Down: The Uprising, The Machine Shop, Break Out, Detritus, Infirmary, and Quarantine 4-D.[39] The haunted attraction Blood Yard was added in 2017.[40]. Toilets were remotely flushed twice a week by the guards of the cellblock. Best Sellers . Prisoners were allowed to garden and even keep pets in their exercise yards. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1994. Ghost Stories of Eastern State Penitentiary Since its closure visitors, employees and those researching paranormal activity have reportedly heard unexplained eerie sounds throughout the prison. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia took in its first inmate in 1829, closed in 1971 and reopened as a museum in 1994. Although Capone received better treatment than most prisoners and was allowed luxuries like a rug and a radio, he too was allegedly tormented - not by physical punishment, but by visits from the dead. Apparel; Accessories; Books; Drinkware; Home Decor; Magnets; Plush and Toys; Sale; Submit. 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. A rusty bed frame and the remains of a cast-iron toilet are all that’s left in this cell that’s open to visitor exploration. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc., a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of preserving the Penitentiary and opening it for tours, is formed. At the time Eastern Penn was built, it was the biggest and most expensive publicly funded structure ever built. from an actor portraying Marie Antoinette. All subsequent cell blocks had two floors. Pep allegedly murdered the governor's wife's cherished cat. The 1998 film Return to Paradise used it as a substitute for a prison in Malaysia. Eastern State closes Eastern State Penitentiary officially closes. James Bruno (Big Joe) and several male relatives were incarcerated here between 1936 and 1948 for the alleged murders in the Kelayres massacre of 1934, before they were paroled. They brainstormed an idea that would put inmates into isolation so that they could meditate on their crimes and become remorseful. of Pa. U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library, National Museum of American Jewish History, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eastern_State_Penitentiary&oldid=991751055, Historic American Buildings Survey in Philadelphia, Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia, National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania, Reportedly haunted locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania state historical marker significations, Articles using NRISref without a reference number, Articles with dead external links from May 2016, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2010, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Boyd, Bruce "King of the Mountain: The Bruno Family Story" 2016 Ingram Press, This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 17:11. 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