Hands On History
Where: Eastern State Penitentiary
on 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130-2610
Age Suitability:
9-12, 12 and up
Website
By: martha
Next date/time: Sunday, September 25 @ 10:00am
New for 2011, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site literally hands visitors the keys to the cellblocks with new Hands-On History interactive experiences. These short demonstrations take place throughout the penitentiary complex, each lasting five minutes or less. An expert Eastern State tour guide leads each activity, although visitors do the bulk of the physical activities themselves.
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However, we recommend checking with the venue prior to your visit especially for special holiday hours or event schedule changes.
Tips
Front Gate
10:05 am, 11:35 am, 3:05 pm, 4:50 pm
Try your hand opening the penitentiary's complex and heavy front gate.
Punishment Cells
10:50 am, 11:50 am, 1:20 pm, 3:35 pm, 4:35 pm
Climb down into "the Hole," the dark corridor beneath Cellblock 14 to see the four concrete, windowless punishment cells known as "Klondike."
How to Open a Cell
10:20 am, 1:35 pm, 3:50 pm
Unlock and open one of Eastern State's intricate lock systems and "escape-proof" iron cell doors.
Kitchens
11:05 am, 1:05 pm, 3:20 pm, 4:05 pm
View the prison's kitchen and dining halls and learn about the types of foods served at Eastern State throughout the years.
Basketball Court
10:35 am, 11:20 am, 1:50 pm, 4:20 pm
See the 20th century exercise yard converted into a basketball court (not otherwise open to the public) and discuss the sports played by inmates throughout the years.
Greenhouse
10 minutes past and 40 minutes past each hour
Use a series of pullies and winches to open the greenhouse vents and learn about the role of gardening in Eastern State's history.
Workshop
10 minutes past each hour
Roll open the aging wooden door of Workshop No. 11 and try to guess what product the inmates once produced in this space.
Cellblock Architecture
40 minutes past each hour
Discover the innovative architectural features that made Eastern State world-famous, including its massive heating and plumbing systems.
Leaving Their Mark
10 minutes past and 40 minutes past each hour
See rare artwork left by inmates and marks hidden by carpenters inside the walls of this ancient building.
Synagogue
10 minutes past and 40 minutes past each hour
Lower a hidden panel in the fully-restored synagogue to expose cell doors and padlocks dating from the 1830s.
Hour-Long Guided Tour
2 pm
Led by an expert tour guide, the one-hour tour highlights Eastern State's fascinating 142-year history.
