Freedom and Independence Day

Celebrate Independence Day weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary with a mix of history, architecture, and reflections on freedom. This holiday weekend, we are debuting our brand-new exhibition Freedom through Faith: Judaism at Eastern State and Beyond, a new exhibit that will reveal how religious freedom was a foundational promise of America’s founding, providing a powerful look at the First Amendment and the enduring importance of exercising your voice.

• Justice 101: The Legacy of America: Dissent and the Justice System
  Thursday, July 2, 2026, 12:00-12:30 pm ET
  Join us for a fireside chat exploring how America’s founding ideals of liberty and dissent have shaped our justice system from the 1800s to the present day.
   
• Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits
  12:00 pm ET
  Step onto the penitentiary's historic baseball field where you'll learn more about the impact of baseball and the freedom of expression in prisons, past and present, from one of our educators. Then, step up to the "plate" and see how far you can hit a wiffle ball toward Eastern State's tall perimeter wall.  
   
• Mini Tour: Making Headlines
  Times vary
  This tour explores the powerful intersection of journalism, incarceration, and censorship — past and present. Through discussion, storytelling and exploration of archival materials, this program examines the role of imprisoned writers, and the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in prisons and jails. Reflect on who gets to speak, what stories are told, and how resistance takes shape through words.
   
• Zine Making workshop
  2:00-4:00 pm ET
  Zines have a long-standing history in queer activism as a tool for self-publishing and community building. Visitors’ are invited to reflect on their own identity and community through the creation of mini-zines. Every day from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.
   
• “Promises of Freedom” Wish Wall
  Share your vision for the country! Visitors are invited to contribute their answer to the prompt, “What’s your wish for the United States?” on our Wish Wall, presented in partnership with Made By Us.
   
• Freedom Poetry
  Inspired by Langston Hughes and other Civil Rights poets, and poetry written by people incarcerated at Eastern State. Visitors can create poems envisioning justice in their own lives. All materials are provided, and no artistic experience is necessary.