WANTED: $50 REWARD. “Slick” Willie Sutton’s mug shot appeared on wanted posters after his escape from Eastern State Penitentiary. Sutton and eleven other men escaped through a tunnel on April 3, 1945. All were eventually recaptured. From the Eastern State Penitentiary Archives.

Visitors in cathedral-like corridor of Cellblock 7, the site of the doomed 1945 tunnel escape. Photo Drew Simcox.

To commemorate of one of the most famous prison breaks in American history, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site will host a weekend of living history tours for the public on Saturday August 2 and Sunday, August 3.

Learn more about the 1945 Tunnel Escape here.

This weekend will kick off the 2008 season at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.

Living History Tours!
Sat., August 2 and Sun., August 3
11:30 am to 4:30 pm
Free with Admission

Who do you trust? Actors portray flamboyant bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and tunnel mastermind Clarence Klinedinst, both of whom took public credit for the 1945 tunnel escape. Dressed in reproduction inmate uniforms from the 1940's, the actors will remain in character as they vividly recount the eighteen months they spent planning and constructing the 97-foot long escape tunnel. Families can "interview" both men, hear both sides of the story, and decide who they believe!

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