Program Series

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025

Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site this Thanksgiving Weekend to learn more about the power of sports in fostering a sense of belonging throughout the penitentiary's history and in correctional facilities today. Programs include:

  • Sports & Recreation Scavenger Hunt (Ongoing) — Designed with kids and their caregivers in mind. Pick up a packet when you grab your audio guide. Complete this sports-themed scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize! 
  • Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles ""Jack"" Blackburn (Daily, Select Times) — Join an 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 — The Guide-Led Tour and Discussion (12:00 pm on weekdays, 11:00 am on weekends) will include additional content about sports and recreation. All tours are limited capacity and subject to availability.  
  • Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits (Daily) – 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. 
  • Sports & Recreation Trivia (Saturday, November 29 at 12 PM) – Join us in the central rotunda for trivia to test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded. 
Prison Facade Events Thumbnail

Events in this Series

Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits
Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Learn about baseball in prison, then step up to the "plate" and see how far you can hit a wiffle ball toward Eastern State's tall perimeter wall.

Sports & Recreation Trivia
Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports & Recreation Trivia

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded.

Sports & Recreation Guide-Led Tour
Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports & Recreation Guide-Led Tour

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Our guide-led tour will include additional content about sports and recreation.

Sports and Recreation Scavenger Hunt
Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports and Recreation Scavenger Hunt

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Complete this sports-themed scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize!

Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles "Jack" Blackburn
Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles “Jack” Blackburn

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Hear the fascinating story of a renowned boxing champion turned Eastern State Penitentiary baseball player.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Learn about baseball in prison, then step up to the "plate" and see how far you can hit a wiffle ball toward Eastern State's tall perimeter wall.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports & Recreation Trivia

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports & Recreation Guide-Led Tour

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Our guide-led tour will include additional content about sports and recreation.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Sports and Recreation Scavenger Hunt

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Complete this sports-themed scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize!

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles “Jack” Blackburn

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Hear the fascinating story of a renowned boxing champion turned Eastern State Penitentiary baseball player.

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