(Philadelphia, February 2007): Visitors always want to explore Eastern State Penitentiary at night. In 2007 they will have their chance, as the abandoned prison will remain open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights in June, July and August. Standard admission rates will apply, and all audio tours, guided tours and artist installations will remain available to visitors.
Several area restaurants will feature dinner packages in combination with the new tours. Participating restaurants, menus and dinner prices will be available on the Eastern State Penitentiary website by March 15.
"Summer evenings are really magical at Eastern State," said Program Director Sean Kelley. "The sun sits low in the sky, and the shadows grow deep, and the penitentiary grounds become really peaceful. And just a little eerie."
Eastern State has been expanding its hours consistently since opening for historic tours in 1994. Tours were originally offered just four days a week in the summer, and weekends only in the spring and fall. The hours expanded to five days a week, eight months a year, in 2003. The site launched an ambitious seven-day-a-week schedule in 2006. (The unheated building remains closed in December, January, February and March.) The addition of twilight tours is partially inspired by the success of the night tour program at Alcatraz, begun in 2001. That program allowed the San Francisco landmark to increase attendance by 100,000 visitors annually.
Eastern State Penitentiary is located at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and eight blocks from the Franklin Institute. More information is available at (215) 236-3300, or on the website at www.EasternState.org.
