Eastern State Announces Fall and Winter 2026 Programming as Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial Commemoration Continues

Philadelphia, PA (August 31, 2026) – As summer winds down, Philadelphia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence is far from over. Eastern State will continue its Semiquincentennial programming throughout the fall and winter with special events, discussions, family-friendly activities, new art, and more exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. 

Many of the below programs are part of Eastern State’s yearlong Semiquincentennial initiative, A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, designed to inspire reflection, dialogue, and civic engagement throughout America’s 250th anniversary. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Philadelphia City Fund’s 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

“Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary gives us an important opportunity not only to celebrate our nation’s history, but also to examine it thoughtfully and consider what it means for our future,” said Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO of Eastern State. “As the city’s Semiquincentennial commemoration continues beyond the summer, Eastern State is creating opportunities for people to come together, ask meaningful questions, and explore how the ideals of liberty and justice have evolved over the past 250 years.” 

Eastern State’s fall and winter 2026 calendar features: 

September

Justice 101: Redefining Rehabilitation — From Norway to Pennsylvania
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Explore Norway’s “normality principle,” an approach to incarceration that prioritizes humanity and rehabilitation, and learn how the model is being studied and adapted through the Scandinavian Prison Project at SCI-Chester, a state correctional institution near Philadelphia. The panel will feature Michael Zaken, DCJ, Western Region Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections; Morgen Jaco, Deputy Commissioner of Restorative and Transitional Services for the Philadelphia Department of Prisons; Stian Estenstad, Director of Network After Imprisonment for the Norwegian Red Cross; Steven L. Chanenson, JD, Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Girard-diCarlo Center at Villanova University; and Kevin Amir Bowman, CEO and Founder of Just Better Men and  former resident of “Little Scandinavia” at SCI-Chester.  Advance registration is required. 

Justice 101: Voices Beyond the Walls — Justice, Reentry, and Civic Power
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
 In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, the Philadelphia City Commissioners' Office and the Eastern State Center for Justice Education are partnering to present a panel and networking event exploring voting rights and civic engagement for justice-involved individuals and all community members. Moderated by Vanessa Caracoza, Deputy Executive Director for the Office of the City Commissioners, City of Philadelphia, the panel will feature Commissioner Omar Sabir, Chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioner; William Hart, Associate Director of the Office of Community Affairs and Engagement at Temple University; Kerry Sautner, Ed.D., President and CEO of Eastern State; and additional speakers to be announced. Advance registration is required. 

Democracy For All Week: Freedom of Expression
Thursday, September 17 – Monday, September 21, 2026
In honor of Constitution Day, consider how freedom of expression — a right protected by the First Amendment — is both limited and fought for in the American justice system. Inspired by prison newspapers and the power of self-expression, guests will enjoy interactive tours, art-making, and family-friendly activities that center the role of music, journalism, poetry, and art inside prisons and jails. All programming is included with admission. 

Justice 101: The History of American Incarceration
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Celebrate Constitution Day with a look at the origins of the United States prison system and Eastern State’s role as America’s first penitentiary, while exploring how this history continues to shape today’s justice system and efforts toward reform. Moderated by Kerry Sautner, Ed.D., President and CEO of Eastern State, the conversation will feature Ashley T. Rubin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Advance registration is required. 

Past, Present, Possible: Place-Based Art at Eastern State
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
As Eastern State launches ReVision: Art and Justice, a new three-year artist residency and exhibition series, artists will explore the role of place-based art at the historic site and its power to inspire reflection, dialogue, and civic engagement. The conversation will feature Julie Courtney, curator of the first art exhibition at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Cody Stuhltrager, Eastern State artist-in-residence, ReVision: Art and Justice, and Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D., Founder of Build It Boldly. ReVision: Art and Justice has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. 

October

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Select Nights, October 2 – November 7, 2026
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is back for its thirty-fifth season this fall. The immersive experience features five thrilling haunted houses, plus historic tours, themed bars and lounges, live performances, and more, all within the walls of a historic 10-acre prison site. All proceeds from Halloween Nights support Eastern State’s mission to preserve America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future. Further details on Halloween Nights will be shared in a press release in the coming weeks. Separate admission is required. 

Firstival: 52 Weeks of Firsts
Saturday, October 3, 2026
As part of a yearlong celebration of national firsts, join Eastern State for a full-day event exploring the history and legacy of America’s first penitentiary. Gather with neighbors and visitors alike for a family-friendly Firstival featuring live musical performances and poetry readings by 2026–2027 Philadelphia Poet Laureate Raina J. León, Ph.D. Plus, shop and connect with local artisans, small businesses, and community organizations from the Fairmount neighborhood and across Philadelphia. The full schedule of events and ticketing information will be announced at a later date. 

Justice 101: Erasure of Queer History
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Learn how museums can address the historic marginalization and erasure of LGBTQIA+ stories and bring often-overlooked queer histories and experiences to light. The conversation will feature Thomas R. Dunn, Ph.D. (he/him), Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Colorado State University, and others to be announced. Advance registration is required. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend
Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12, 2026
All weekend long, in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Guide-Led Tour and Discussion will feature additional content exploring the impact of the criminal justice system on Indigenous people throughout the United States. Programming is included with admission. 

Justice 101: Religious Freedom and the Justice System
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Celebrate the opening of the historic site’s newest exhibit, Freedom Through Faith: Judaism at Eastern State and Beyond, with a conversation exploring religious freedom within the justice system, past and present. Consider the complex legal and bureaucratic hurdles faced by individuals practicing their faith and how people have overcome these barriers. The conversation will feature Michael Moreland, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law and Religion and Director of the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law at Villanova University. This program is presented as part of The Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations, made possible by a generous grant from the Reichlin and Tuck Families. 

Fall Festival
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
A beloved fall tradition at Eastern State returns! Trick-or-treat through the historic site, then explore Eastern State’s history and legacy of justice with the help of a special scavenger hunt designed with children and their caregivers in mind. Uncover how this iconic prison shaped modern justice systems while engaging with hands-on history, creative art making, story time, and live music. The full schedule of events and list of partners will be announced at a later date. Admission is free for kids in costume and their caregivers, and no registration is necessary.

November

Veterans’ Day Weekend
Saturday, November 7 – Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Explore the experiences of veterans within the criminal justice system through special exhibits, pop-up talks, and more, examining both wartime at Eastern State Penitentiary and the relationship between military service, veterans, and the justice system today. Programming is included with admission.

Scout Days
Saturday, November 14, 2026 to Thursday, December 31, 2026
Eastern State invites members of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and youth of all ages to explore history, architecture, and criminal justice through specially curated virtual and in-person learning experiences. Led by Eastern State educators, the interactive programs feature guided discussions and hands-on activities, with select experiences designed to fulfill badge requirements for Scouts and Girl Scouts. 

New Exhibit Opening! ReVision: Art and Justice
Friday, November 20, 2026
Celebrate the opening of artist-in-residence Cody Stuhltrager’s new art installation —the inaugural exhibit of Eastern State’s multi-year artist residency and exhibition series, ReVision: Art and Justice. Additional details will be announced at a later date. The exhibit is included with admission. ReVision: Art and Justice has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. 

Justice 101: From Natural Rights to "Slave of the State"
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Examine the evolution of the American criminal justice system, from Enlightenment-era ideals of natural rights and human redemption to the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment. The conversation will explore how these ideals came into conflict with changing laws and what this history reveals about whose rights are protected — and who is excluded from “We the People.” Speakers will be announced at a later date. Advance registration is required. 

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play
Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Spend Thanksgiving weekend learning more about the power of sports at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. Enjoy family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, tours, pop-up talks, and hands-on activities that explore the importance of sports and recreation in fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Programming is included with admission. 

December

RockyFest
Thursday, December 3, 2026
Celebrate the anniversary of Philadelphia’s most iconic film franchise with a city-wide series of events. As part of RockyFest, Eastern State will offer special programming including a Mini Tour highlighting Charles "Jack" Blackburn, a renowned boxing champion who was incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary. Programming is included with admission. 

Justice 101: Faith, Sanctuary, and Community
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Join Eastern State for a creative exploration of how religion builds community and fosters connection amidst the often-isolating experience of incarceration. Hear from a panel of faith leaders across traditions about the uniting force of faith and enjoy live musical performances inspired by the holiday season. This program is presented as part of The Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations, made possible by a generous grant from the Reichlin and Tuck Families. Speakers and performers will be announced at a later date. Advance registration is required. 

Justice 101: Rights Reclaimed? — From Attica to Today
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Online Via Zoom and YouTube
Trace the evolution of prisoners’ rights through key moments of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Attica prison uprising, and examine how more recent legislation, such as the 1996 Prison Litigation Reform Act, has shaped those rights today. Speakers will be announced at a later date. Advance registration is required. 

Shared Light: Winter Celebrations
Sunday, December 20 – Thursday, December 31, 2026
Through storytelling, tours, and hands-on activities, learn how people at Eastern State Penitentiary marked Winter Holidays — finding moments of light, connection, and meaning within the confines of prison life. Programming is included with admission. 

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About Eastern State
Eastern State preserves America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future. For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.