Eastern State’s November Programs Explore Justice, Service,  and Belonging

Philadelphia, PA (Nov. 3, 2025) — This November, Eastern State invites visitors to take part in programs that inspire reflection, dialogue, and hands-on learning. Each experience explores themes of connection, belonging, and justice — honoring veterans, engaging educators and students in civic learning, and examining restorative justice in practice.

“This November, were inviting our visitors to reflect on what connects us, service, empathy, and shared responsibility,” said Dr. Kerry Sautner, President & CEO of Eastern State. “Whether honoring veterans, exploring restorative justice practices, or coming together in civic learning communities from scouts to reentry simulations, each program reminds us that history is not just something we study; it’s something we explore together to affect positive change and true belonging.”

Eastern State’s November calendar features:

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Select Nights, Friday, September 19 – Saturday, November 8 

Philadelphia’s most celebrated Halloween festival continues, transforming the historic penitentiary into an immersive autumn destination. Halloween Nights features five haunted houses, historic night tours, themed bars, live performances, and other experiences set inside the ten-acre penitentiary complex. The final weekend—Friday and Saturday, November 7 and 8—offers a specially themed experience, Halloween Nights REMIXED: Holiday Havoc. In their struggle to keep the spirit of the season alive, the creatures of Halloween Nights tore a rift in the timeline. Now, the holidays have gone haywire, wreaking havoc throughout the festival. Join Eastern State as they celebrate Christmas, New Years’ Eve, Valentine’s Day, and more — all with a terrifying twist. Info and tickets at HalloweenNights.org.  

Veterans Day Programming
Friday, November 7 – Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site honors the contributions of veterans with a weekend of pop-up talks, exhibits, and film screenings exploring the intersection of military service and the criminal justice system. Included with admission, guests can experience: 

• Pop-Up Talks: World War I at Eastern State Penitentiary: Take a 10-minute guided tour to learn about the 120 people incarcerated at Eastern State who went on to serve in the military, plus the thousands of others who contributed to war efforts on the home front. 
• Pop-Up Exhibit: Veterans and Wartime at Eastern State Penitentiary: View a special pop-up exhibit featuring photos, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of veterans and wartime at Eastern State Penitentiary. 
• Video Screening: Veterans, Prisons, and Courts Today: Learn about the impact of the justice system on veterans today. 
   

All activities are included with standard admission. 

PA Civics Educator Forum: “Teaching America’s 250th Anniversary” 
Thursday, November 13, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Off-site at Marywood University

The Eastern State Center for Justice Education joins PA Civics at “Teaching America’s 250th Anniversary: Understanding Our Past, Shaping What’s Next,” a professional development forum for educators. The Center for Justice Education team will lead “Exploring First Amendment Rights Through Prison Journalism,” an interactive workshop where educators explore case studies and the ethical and legal issues of press freedom and incarceration. Registration is required here. 

Scout Day: Architecture 
Saturday, November 15, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Eastern State invites members of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and all youth to participate in Scout Day: Architecture, a hands-on program where participants tour the prison, engage in interactive activities and conversations, learn about Eastern State’s history and influence, and gain an introduction to architecture and historic preservation, with scouts also meeting badge requirements. Tickets are $21 per person and can be purchased here. 

Reentry Simulation for School Groups 
Wednesday, November 19, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

A free, interactive program designed for Philadelphia school groups, this simulation helps students understand the real-world challenges people face when reentering society after incarceration. Advance registration required by e-mailing [email protected]. 

Justice 101: Restorative Justice – A Closer Look at Alternatives 
Wednesday, November 19, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online via Zoom and YouTube 

Eastern State’s Justice 101 series returns with a conversation on restorative justice, exploring how dialogue, empathy, and community-based solutions can foster healing, accountability, and meaningful reform. Panelists Suzanne V. Estrella, Commonwealth Victim Advocate, and Keith Hickman, Vice President for Partnerships for the International Institute of Restorative Practices, will discuss restorative justice as a transformative alternative to incarceration, moderated by Dr. Kerry Sautner, Eastern State President & CEO. Admission is free with advance registration in person or via Zoom. More information can be found here. 

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports & Belonging 
Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site invites guests to learn more about the power of sports in fostering a sense of belonging throughout the penitentiary's history and in correctional facilities today. Visitors can enjoy themed tours, scavenger hunts, trivia, and baseball-themed pop-ups, all included with admission. 

 

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Media Contact 

Abby Kleman
Cashman & Associates
[email protected]
M: 302-668-4781

 

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.