News :: 2006 Season
ESP :: Home
News Archive >
Feb, ’10 | Jan, ’09 | May, ’08 | Dec, ’07 | Aug, ’07 | Feb, ’07 | May, ’06 | Aug, ’05 | Sep, ’04


Think Outside the Box

Dec 4, ’07

(November, 2007) Think outside the box! This holiday season give someone on your list the gift of membership. Each recipient of a gift membership will receive a personalized gift card, ESP T-shirt, tickets for Terror Behind the Walls (2008) ranked as one of the “Top 10 Best Haunted House in the United States” by the Travel Channel, America Online and HauntWorld Magazine, plus a year of free daytime admission, behind the scenes tours, and exciting events. It's a great deal!

Need a stocking stuffer? Our online store is filled with great gifts like E.S.P. Playing Cards, Al Capone Shot Glasses, “Pep the Dog” T-Shirts and “Mug shot” Mugs.

For more information, other great Eastern State gifts or to place your order, please visit our Online Store.



Justin Kredible and TBTW Makeup and Costume Director Kristin Phillips

Rachael Ray Show films at ESP

Oct 29, ’07

Remember when Rachael Ray made her “Yummy Mummy” with Emeril in the cell blocks of Eastern State Penitentiary? Well if you were the unfortunate ghoul who missed that show, be sure to watch her new talk show - Rachael Ray - on ABC (channel 6 in Philadelphia) at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 31st.

Rachael Ray Show correspondent, magician “Justin Kredible” spent the day at Eastern State Penitentiary with Terror Behind The Walls Technical Director Jason Ohlsen. Ohlsen took Justin Kredible and Rachael Ray cameras behind the scenes of Terror Behind The Walls for a special treat. Then Ohlsen reviled a few top-secret haunted house tricks.

Want to know how Terror Behind The Walls uses compressed air to frighten and spook? Curious about ghoulish make-up and goop? Watch Justin Kredible get air blasted in the haunted house then transformed with makeup by TBTW Costume and Makeup Director Kristin Phillips on the Rachael Ray Show, this Wednesday, October 31st at 10:00am on ABC.


Eastern State on Travel Channel's new show Mysterious Journeys

Oct 22, ’07

On October 26th at 9:00pm, the Travel Channel will air a new program called Mysterious Journeys. The new series will feature the "ghosts" of Eastern State Penitentiary just in time for Halloween!

This program will also feature some of Eastern's former inmates, guards, and staff members. The show will attempt to reenact events which actually took place within the prison walls.

For more information about this program as well as future dates and times the show will air, visit the Travel Channel Website.


Terror Behind the Walls Once Again Among Top Haunted Houses in America

Sep 20, ’07

HauntWorld Magazine has once again included Terror Behind the Walls on their list of “Top 13 Haunted Houses in America.” According to Editor-in-Chief of Hauntworld Magazine, Larry Kirchner, the “list highlights new standards of fear and fun at leading haunts. These attractions are being recognized for their attention to detail, high-quality special effects, and overall scare factor.”

Ranging from haunted hotels and prisons to spooky hayrides, the list represents the best haunted attractions the nation has to offer, as selected by the editors at Hauntworld Magazine. In an industry that has reached the multi-billion dollar mark, these haunts are leading the way in scream-inducing innovations.

“The haunts we’ve included are as expertly produced as any major motion picture today,” said Kirchner. “They have behind-the-scenes teams of master Hollywood special effects technicians, make-up artists, set designers, and trained actors. We’re an industry that exists to make people scream and laugh at the same time – and these haunts do just that, and more.”

Terror Behind the Walls has consistently been ranked among the top haunted houses in the United States by the Travel Channel, America Online, HauntWorld Magazine and other national publications.


Image of photographer using the guard mirrors at ESP

“Light, camera, third act”

Sep 19, ’07

Photographer Greg Stowell brings his exhibition “Light, camera, third act” back to Philadelphia after successfully exhibiting the show in New York City (Queens) and Kansas City. Inspired by Eastern State Penitentiary, Stowell’s collection of black and white photographs “captures a place and the experience of seeing through the elements of photographic design: form, rhythm, texture, and most of all, light.”

“Light, camera, third act” a topical series of photography inspired by Eastern State Penitentiary, will be on view at "Savory off South" between October 1 – 31, 2007. There will also be a public reception on October 5th. For directions please call: 215.922.0202.


2007 Member’s Photo Contest

Sep 19, ’07

2007 marks the fifth anniversary for Eastern State’s “Member’s Only Photo Contest!” The event took place on Saturday, September 8th. During this event, members of Eastern State Penitentiary were invited to discuss, swap, and share their favorite photographs of the penitentiary with each other.

Sporting members also had the opportunity to submit one photo for each of the two judging competition categories: best color photo as well as best black-and-white photo. Serving as judge this year was none other than Tom Berault, Professor of Art, Prince George's Community College and, Curator/Director, Marlboro Gallery. This year we congratulated John Calvert for winning first prize in the black-and-white photo category, and Aaron LaTowsky for winning first prize in the color photo category.


To read about this competition’s official rules and regulation, please click here >>


Film maker Tony Alosi

Chapman University Professor Completes Documentary about Eastern State

Sep 18, ’07

Philadelphia native, Tony Alosi, has long admired and been inspired by the magnificent architecture that distinguishes Eastern State Penitentiary from other prisons. In his latest film, Eastern State: Living Behind The Walls, Alosi narrates pieces of the prison’s complex history through the voices of former prisoners, guards, and administrative staff. His documentary explores current imprisonment policies but also investigates societal beliefs on incarceration.

Mr. Alosi explains, "The stories of those who lived within these walls remind us that the human spirit can always find a way to forgive, find peace and move on."

For more information and to view a trailer of the film click here >>


Chapter on ESP in a new book

Sep 14, ’07

Just in time for Halloween, a new book by Susan Hutchison Tassin called Pennsylvania's Ghost Towns: Uncovering the Hidden Past profiles 46 locations that have been abandoned or left to ruin. These cemeteries, abandoned buildings, and roads to nowhere are all that remain of several once-thriving towns in Pennsylvania.

Does Eastern State Penitentiary qualify as a ghost town? During its 142 years in operation, Eastern State housed over 80,000 men and women. Author Susan Hutchinson argues that it is possible a number of these souls remain even today.

Pennsylvania's Ghost Towns: Uncovering the Hidden Past is available for purchase on our online store.




Two Ways To Trolley

Sep 7, ’07

Ride During The DAY...
Daily Trolley Tour: Step aboard the ESP wrapped "open-air" trolley and enjoy the view as experienced Philadelphia Trolley Works tour guides enlighten and entertain you with humorous stories and fascinating facts about Philadelphia's famous sights and attractions. Your 24-hour Pass will give you the freedom of unlimited on-and-off privileges between at any of the 20 stops throughout the day including Eastern State Penitentiary! Click here for more information

... Or Night!
There is a new way to get to Eastern State Penitentiary on fall evenings this year for Terror Behind the Walls: The Ghost Bus, Presented by Regal Entertainment Group.

Visitors who use the off-site parking lot will be shuttled to the penitentiary on an ESP wrapped historic-style trolley. During the ride to and from the penitentiary, a costumed professional storyteller will describe some of Philadelphia's most frightening ghost sightings. The parking lot is located at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, easily found off the Broad Street exit of Route 676. Parking costs just $10.00 per car. The Ghost Bus and ghost stories are free. Click here for more information.


Travel Channel’s America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions includes TBTW

Aug 23, ’07

Every autumn a frightening fever sweeps the nation from, its biggest cities to its smallest towns. It’s the annual opening of eerie exhibitions: Haunted houses, creepy mazes and frightening fairs. Abandoned prisons and decrepit cruise ships recreate scary scenes and tales of terror for chill seekers young and old to enjoy.

Each year there are new trends in the business of fear, including live performances by actors trained to terrify even the toughest customers. These attractions have morphed beyond the neighborhood haunted house and have become popular tourist destinations across the country. Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls will be one of only eight Halloween attractions featured on the program.

For the first time ever, the Travel Channel has picked America's most frightening haunts as portrayed in America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions — get ready for an edge-of-your-seat spooky ride!


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

 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.

2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130