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February 16, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: Unearthing Stories through Genealogy
Members only. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. February Member Saturday: Unearthing Stories through Genealogy
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February 23, 2019, 11:00 am – March 3, 2019, 1:00 pm
Prison Labor Tour and Book Discussion: One Book, One Philadelphia
Free. Registration required. This event is part of One Book, One Philadelphia, a signature event of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
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March 5, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Marc Mauer: The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences
Free. Reception to follow. Today one in every seven people in U.S. prisons is serving a life sentence, a massive increase over previous decades. Marc Mauer will explore the policy changes that have produced this historic growth, and present evidence that life imprisonment actually reduces public safety.
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March 16, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: Preserving Al Capone's Cell
Members only. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. March Member Saturday: Preserving Al Capone’s Cell
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April 2, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Danielle Sered: Reckoning with Violence: Mass Incarceration, Restorative Justice, and the Road to Repair
Free. Reception to follow.
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April 12, 2019, 7:00 pm – April 14, 2019, 10:00 pm
The Investigation of Warden Michael J. Cassidy
Tickets required. Check back soon for details. It's 1897. Michael Cassidy, warden of Eastern State Penitentiary, stands accused of cruelty and inhumanity, of neglect and incompetence. And no one – no one – is above the law. Come hear the warden's testimony, uncover evidence, and make your judgement – is he innocent or guilty?
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April 20, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: April 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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April 27, 2019, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Alumni Reunion
Standard Admission. Some of Eastern State's alumni – former officers and inmates – return to the cellblocks to share their memories with the public during a Q&A session. The Alumni Reunion is included with admission. Tickets are available online or at the door, subject to availability.
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May 3, 2019, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Reception for the 2019 Season
Free. Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a changing series of exhibits and artist installations as part of its ongoing programming. Join us as we celebrate our 2019 season with an after-hours reception, free and open to the public! You'll have the chance to preview three new artist installations and meet the artists themselves. Light refreshments will be served. New artist installations to be announced soon.
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May 7, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: May 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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May 18, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: May 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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June 4, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: June 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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June 15, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: June 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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July 2, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: July 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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July 3, 2019, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wawa Welcome America: Free Museum Night
Free. Further details to be announced. Explore America’s most historic prison at dusk! Free Museum Night admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, Hands-On History interactive experiences, history exhibits, and artist installations. Historic site programming, especially "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, is subject to availability. Capacity is limited. Not recommended for children under the age of seven.
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July 20, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: July 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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August 6, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: August 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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August 15, 2019, 7:00 pm – September 12, 2019, 10:00 pm
Hidden Lives Illuminated
Free. There is a common observation among people who live and work in prisons: “The walls don’t just keep the prisoners in... They keep the public out.” Eastern State Penitentiary’s Hidden Lives Illuminated will bring the often invisible stories of people living in prisons to light against the backdrop of the penitentiary's 30-foot-high stone walls.
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August 17, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: August 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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September 3, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: September 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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September 20, 2019 – November 9, 2019
Terror Behind the Walls
Select nights, Sept. 20 through Nov. 9.Ticket prices vary. Terror Behind the Walls, America’s largest haunted house, is called “perfect for Halloween” by The New York Times, named #1 in the nation by Forbes, and featured on NBC’s TODAY Show. Terror Behind the Walls takes place inside the massive, castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary and is consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in America.
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September 21, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: September 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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October 1, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: October 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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October 5, 2019, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Coffee with a Cop
Free. Eastern State Penitentiary is proud to partner with the Philadelphia Police Department for Coffee with a Cop. Join officers from North Philadelphia’s 22nd District for an informal conversation—over coffee—about issues that matter to you.
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October 19, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: October 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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November 5, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: November 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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November 16, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: November 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
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November 29, 2019 – December 20, 2019
Holiday Toy Drive
BOGO Admission for Anyone Who Donates. Donate a toy November 29 - December 20, 2019 in exchange for "Buy One, Get One Free" admission to ESP. One in 28 American kids has a parent behind bars. In Pennsylvania alone, there are approximately 81,096 children with a parent incarcerated in a PA state prison. How can we come together as a community to support families experiencing incarceration during the holidays?
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December 3, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Searchlight Series: December 2019
Free. Reception to follow. Speaker and topic to be announced.
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December 21, 2019, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Member Saturday: December 2019
Members only. Topic to be announced. Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a new members-only program. Experience Eastern State as only members can, through exclusive tours on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 am. These unique, members-only events shed light on new historical findings, take you behind the scenes, and much more. Discover our collections, explore our site, illuminate history, and make unexpected connections. This event is free for all members.
