Summer Nights Pay-What-You-Wish Night: Justice & Journalism, part of Wawa Welcome America
Saturday, June 27, 2026
6:00 - 9:00pm EST
This event is sold out. There will be a standby line outside the penitentiary for those without tickets. Standby guests will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. Guests in the standby line are not guaranteed entry
Uncover the role of investigative journalism in shaping our understanding of the criminal justice system. Through live storytelling, panel discussions, and interactive exhibits, this program brings together award-winning reporters, formerly incarcerated writers, documentary filmmakers, and justice advocates to examine the power of storytelling in exposing injustice and driving reform.
Programs:
- Mini-Tour: Making Headlines: 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.
- Fireside Chat with Ryan Moser: Join us for an intimate fireside chat with formerly incarcerated journalist and award winning writer, Ryan Moser. In this conversation, we will reflect on the power of journalism as a tool for resistance and healing. This fireside chat will discuss how media shapes public perception of justice—and how those most impacted can reclaim the narrative.
- Interactive Activity: Secret Letter Delivery: In this sitewide interactive activity inspired by historical communication networks inside prisons, visitors explore coded language and symbolism in music and letters. Follow clues to deliver “letters” between secret locations around the site, learning how incarcerated people found creative ways to maintain communication, preserve relationships, and share news.
- Zine Activity: Zines have a long-standing history in 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.
About the Panelists:
We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
Saturday Evenings, June 20 – 27 and July 11 — Aug 1, 2026 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm (last entry at 8:00 pm).
This program is part of Summer Nights at Eastern State - With a different theme each week, Summer Nights provides a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting. Enjoy immersive experiences, interactive events, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of Philadelphia’s most unique landmarks.
This program is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. 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.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program series, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
