Eastern State Penitentiary's 2016 Pop-Up Museum Gives Visitors a Glimpse of Rare Prison Artifacts

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is giving visitors a glimpse into the inmate experience at this long-abandoned prison with Pop-Up Museum: Sports & Leisure. Rarely-seen prison artifacts will be on display at Eastern State Penitentiary for a limited time, from March 3 through March 13, 2016.

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 it impossible to exhibit the artifacts year-round.

For 11 days only, Eastern State Penitentiary will present its fourth annual Pop-Up Museum. On display for 2016 will be sports paraphernalia, including a photograph of former Philadelphia baseball manager Connie Mack with Warden Cornelius Burke, as well as objects depicting recreational activities – inmate-made crafts, paintings, confiscated shanks and other weapons. Also of particular interest this year is a short movie of sports at Eastern State Penitentiary filmed in 1929, courtesy of the University of South Carolina's Moving Image Research Collections. The film has never before been shown at the historic site.

Pop-Up Museum: Sports & Leisure is included with standard admission to the historic site. Regular daytime programs, including "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, guided Hands-On History tours, history exhibits, and artist installations, are also included in admission. Tickets are available online at easternstate.org/tickets, or at the door subject to availability.

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.

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SOURCE Eastern State Penitentiary

Related Links

http://www.easternstate.org