EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Eastern State Penitentiary is a historic former prison located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built in 1829, it was one of the first penitentiaries in the United States and is known for its distinctive radial design, with cell blocks radiating from a central hub like spokes on a wheel. The prison was designed to isolate prisoners in solitary confinement, with each inmate housed in a small cell with a skylight for natural light and a private exercise yard.

Eastern State Penitentiary operated as a prison until 1971 and housed famous criminals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton. The prison is now a National Historic Landmark and a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours that explore its history and architecture. Visitors can see the deteriorating conditions of the cells, the remains of the prison hospital, and the eerie guard towers that loom over the complex.

Eastern State Penitentiary is also known for its annual haunted house attraction, Terror Behind the Walls, which takes advantage of the prison's ominous atmosphere to provide a spooky experience for visitors.

EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in PHILADELPHIA PA. US MID #8404201529

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Mid-Atlantic (District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania). Total revenue from most recent IRS 990 Form: $ 3,726,683 from tax period 201212 (YYYYMM).

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Contact EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

• telephone: 2155646377
• website: http://www.easternstate.org

EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY HISTORIC SITE INC
2027 FAIRMOUNT AVE
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19130-2610

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