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We're Hiring: Two new full-time positions

Feb 4, ’10

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is adding two new full-time salaried positions to its administrative staff:
1.  Group Tour and Administrative Assistant
2.  Marketing and Development Assistant

Please see www.EasternState.org/hiring for detailed job descriptions and information on how to apply.


Linda Brenner's "Ghost Cats"

ESP seeks art installation proposals for its 2011 tour season.

Feb 1, ’10

 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site seeks proposals for its 2011 tour season.  The historic site will fund a maximum $7,500.00 per project. This funding includes approval to exhibit during the next exhibition cycle. All projects that are approved will be installed for one full tour season (March through November), unless the artist proposal states otherwise.

The proposal deadline (for all funding and approvals) is Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 4 pm.  This is not a deadline for a postmark, but for delivery at the historic site. 

For additional information, including the 2011 Guidelines, Current Installations, Past Installations and Sample Proposals, please see: http://www.easternstate.org/exhibits/guidelines.php


2010 Annual Appeal continues

Jan 26, ’10

 
Currently behind locked doors in a small building close to the main tour route are some of Eastern State's most moving artifacts - the 23 murals by Lester Smith. They fill the walls of the Catholic Chaplain's Office.

This part of the prison must remain closed until we can stabilize the building structure and conserve the fragile paintings.
Learn more here.

Every year, friends like you who value Eastern State Penitentiary's unique history and stark beauty, step forward to help save additional elements of the building fabric. Will you help us save the murals? It will take $525,000 to carry out the full project and open the Catholic Chaplain's Office to you and other visitors.

Click here to donate online. Every gift matters. Thank you!


We're Hiring: Tour Guides and Museum Shop Staff

Jan 21, ’10

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site seeks tour staff and museum shop staff for full-time & part-time, seasonal work. The Penitentiary is open everyday (except Thanksgiving), March 15 through November 30. Training begins February 26.

Please see www.EasternState.org/hiring for complete information.

Take Advantage of the City Pass Winter Special!

Dec 4, ’09



Philadelphia CityPass Winter Special
Philadelphia City Pass is a great way to save money and time. The Winter Special adds another punch for locals and nearby visitors: Booklets activated on or after December 15, 2009 remain valid through February 28, 2010 (Instead of the normal nine-day validity period). 

Philadelphia City Pass includes admission to Eastern State Penitentiary, The Franklin Institute, Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia Trolley Works & Big Bus Company, Philadelphia Zoo and National Constitution Center for only $58 (a $105.10 value!).  Purchase your City Pass online now.
 


Photo: Adam Cohen, 2009


Photo: Trish Leeb, 2009

Members' Photo Contest

Oct 13, ’09


The 2009 Members' Photo Contest took place on Saturday, October 3.  Members of Eastern State Penitentiary were invited to submit one photo for each of the two judging categories: best color photo as well as best black and white photo. 

Serving as judge was Tom Berault, Professor of Art at Prince George's Community College.

Congratulations to Adam Cohen for placing first in the color category and Trish Leeb for placing first in the black and white category.  The winning photos are at left.

This year, Eastern State added awards for second place, third place, and honorable mentions.  Congratulations to Adam Cohen (2nd place, B&W), Laura Shindollar (3rd place, B&W), Nathan Horton (2nd place, Color), William Allman (3rd place, Color) and Brian Betteridge (Honorable Mention, Color).


Travelocity Gnome visits Eastern State Penitentiary

Aug 4, ’09

In July, Travelocity’s website allowed fans to vote for the destination of the Roaming Gnome. After Philadelphia won the most votes over Boston and Washington D.C., the Gnome visited several local landmarks, including the cellblocks of Eastern State Penitentiary. While learning about Eastern’s long history and Halloween fundraiser Terror Behind the Walls, the Gnome had his picture taken with Eastern State visitors and staff throughout the site.

 

Pictures and narratives of the Roaming Gnome’s visit to Eastern State Penitentiary and other Philadelphia destinations can be found on his Facebook page.


Final Tally for Prison Break Weekend 2009. Photo: Tom Berault

Sutton vs. Klinedinst - See Who Won Our Tunnel Escape Debate!

Aug 3, ’09


Eastern State Penitentiary hosted a Tunnel Escape Weekend commemorating some of the most famous prison breaks in American history. The event featured ongoing debates between two actors - one portraying Clarence Klinedinst and one portraying "Slick Willie" Sutton. Visitors had the opportunity to hear their conflicting accounts of who designed the tunnel, how it was built, why the escapees got caught, and vote on who they believed was telling the truth. After tallying the votes throughout the weekend, the results are in!

By a margin of 180-151, most visitors believed that Clarence Klinedinst's story was the most accurate!

Visitors to Eastern State this weekend were also able to participate in a number of family activities including a seek and find, a 24 ft. inflatable rock wall designed to mimic the 1923 Leo Callahan escape, and the opportunity to create a design for an escape-proof prison.


Now Accepting Memberships Online!

Jul 31, ’09

You said it was time and we agreed!  Eastern State can now accept your membership purchases and renewals online using secure PayPal technology.

August is a great time to become a member or renew a membership.  Escape the heat by cooling off in the cellblocks.  Take a Twilight Tour while the days are still long.

If you are looking forward to the 2009 Terror Behind the Walls season with its new attraction, Infirmary, be sure to secure your Member Passes by making your membership purchase by August 31.

Click here to review membership options and use the new online system.

If you have any questions using the new system, please email ek@easternstate.org.


Two visitors show off their TBTW zombie makeovers.


Makeover in progress during the Behind the Scenes Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour: Terror Behind the Walls Costume and Makeup Shops

Jun 30, ’09

In 2008, Eastern State Penitentiary built new costume and makeup shops into former workshops along Cellblock 1. They include state of the art makeup stations and storage for the 150 costumes necessary to get the show up and running every night.

This rare chance to see the costume and makeup shops of TBTW allowed visitors to meet the makeup artists and costume designers responsible for the #1 ranked haunted house in America by AOL City Guide. Among the visitors were the contest winners of the May e-Newsletter trvia contest, who each won a Terror Behind the Walls makeover. “We had so much fun,” Trish H. said about her contest prize. “My kids looked great. It totally creeped me out.”

Visitors receiving the makeover were transformed into creatures much like the ones seen roaming the penitentiary during Eastern State’s premier Halloween event.

To learn more about Terror Behind the Walls, please visit http://www.easternstate.org/halloween/.


Feb, ’10 | Jan, ’09 | Apr, ’08 | Dec, ’07 | Aug, ’07 | Nov, ’06 | May, ’06 | Jul, ’05 | Sep, ’04

 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.

2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130