The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging
Thursday, June 11 - Friday, June 19, 2026
All Day
Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site to learn more about the power of sports in fostering a sense of belonging throughout ESP's history and in correctional facilities today.
- Sports & Recreation Scavenger Hunt — (Ongoing) Pick up a packet at the entrance and complete this sports-themed scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize! Designed with kids and their caregivers in mind.
- Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles "Jack" Blackburn — (Daily, Select Times) Join an Eastern State Educator for a 10-minute tour that shares the fascinating story of a renowned boxing champion turned Eastern State Penitentiary baseball player. Ask any staff member for the daily schedule and meeting place.
- Guide-Led Tour & Discussion — (12:00 pm on weekdays, 11:00 am on weekends) The Guide-Led Tour and Discussion will feature additional content about sports & recreation. All tours have limited capacity and are subject to availability.
- Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits – (Ongoing) Step onto the penitentiary's historic baseball field where you'll learn more about the impact of baseball 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.
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.
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 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.
