Eastern State Penitentiary's 2015 Pop-Up Museum Gives Visitors a Glimpse of Rare Prison Artifacts

PHILADELPHIA, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site kicks off its 2015 tour season by giving visitors a glimpse into the inmate experience at this long-abandoned prison. Pop-Up Museum: Escape! puts rarely seen prison artifacts on display from April 2 through 12.

The archives of Eastern State Penitentiary are packed with historic treasures that the public rarely sees. Thousands of photographs, stacks of inmate-written magazines, and even shanks are numbered and tucked carefully into museum-grade storage in the site's administrative offices. Visitors often see photographs of these treasures, but the building's lack of museum-quality climate control makes exhibiting the objects impossible. Until now.

For 11 days only, Eastern State Penitentiary will present its third annual Pop-Up Museum. On display for 2015 will be objects of escape, including escapee inmate mugshots, an escape tunnel map, Wanted posters highlighting escaped inmates, confiscated shanks and other weapons, keys, locks, and handcuffs. Archival photos depict escape tunnels and ladders, as well as recaptured inmates and the officers who found them.

Pop-Up Museum: Escape! is included with admission to the historic site.

About Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone.

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is located at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The penitentiary is open seven days a week, year round. Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children ages 7-12. (Not recommended for children under the age of seven.) Tickets are available online at www.EasternState.org or at the door, subject to availability. Admission includes "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi; Hands-On History interactive experiences; history exhibits; and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.

For more information and schedules, the public should call (215) 236-3300 or visit www.EasternState.org.

Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150318/182944

SOURCE Eastern State Penitentiary

Related Links

http://www.EasternState.org