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Membership FAQ

Below are answers to some common questions about Eastern State membership.

Have a question that we don’t address here? Contact us at [email protected] or 215-236-5111 x210. We’re happy to help!

There are many easy ways to join or renew:

  • RECOMMENDED! Online. Click here to join or to locate and renew your membership. You’ll need your member number (found on your digital member card) and the primary member’s last name to renew online.
  • By email. Email us at [email protected].
  • On site. Visit admissions or the museum store.


Did you visit in the last two weeks? You can apply recent admission fees to your membership purchased by email or on site with a receipt!

Did you visit in the last two weeks? If so, then yes!

With a receipt, you can apply the admission fees you already paid to your membership. If you're still on site, show your receipt in admissions or at the museum store. If you're already home, email a copy of your receipt to [email protected].

Yes! To give the gift of an Eastern State membership, follow this link.

Once you've completed the purchase, you will receive an email with a gift voucher you can forward to the gift recipient. They can then redeem the voucher and set up their membership account online. Once they have done so, they will receive their digital member card via email within minutes and can begin using their benefits.

You can begin using your membership the day you join. If you join online or on site, you will receive a digital member card via email within minutes once payment has processed. If you do not have immediate access to your digital member card, staff can look up your membership at the admissions desk when you arrive.

Your membership is valid for one year from the last day of the month you join.

We highly recommend purchasing your membership online! If you purchase your membership online or on site, you will receive a digital member card via email within minutes once payment has processed.

If you purchase your membership via email, you will receive a digital member card via email as soon as staff receives and processes your request and payment. This can take anywhere from a few hours to 1-2 weeks.

We recommend that you bring your digital member card with you when visiting Eastern State for a smooth entry experience.

If you misplace your digital member card, you can retrieve it at any time by visiting this page, clicking "Member Login", clicking "Forgot Your Membership ID?", and following the prompts. If you are still unable to access your digital member card, our staff can look up your membership at the admissions desk.

If you misplace your digital member card, you can retrieve it at any time by visiting this page, clicking "Member Login", clicking "Forgot Your Membership ID?", and following the prompts.

Need additional assistance? Please email us at [email protected] or call 215-236-5111 x210.

Free daytime admission to the historic site is a core benefit of Eastern State membership. Every time you visit during daytime hours, you’ll receive free admission for the number of individuals your membership allows (e.g. Individual — 1 person, Dual – 2 people, Family and Friends – 4 people).

In addition, members at the Family and Friends, Ambassador, and Visionary levels also receive complimentary one-time guest passes that can be redeemed digitally. When you join or renew at any of these levels, the confirmation email that contains your digital member card will also include a series of one-time-use promo codes, each valid for one daytime historic site admission. To redeem, simply visit our ticketing portal, select any daytime admission option, add the desired ticket(s) to your order, enter the code(s) into the “Apply Promo Code” box, and check out.

Members receive discounts and early ticketing access for select events throughout the year. Look for pre-sale opportunities and other membership perks for events via email. Not sure if we have the best email address for you? Email us at [email protected] or call 215-236-5111 x210 to make sure you receive these offers.

Members at the Family and Friends, Ambassador, and Visionary levels enjoy reciprocal benefits at participating museums throughout the country through the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) Program. Show the NARM logo on your digital member card and receive up to two complimentary admissions to all participating museums, excluding those within a 15-mile radius of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.

Yes! Eastern State offers an organizational membership for libraries that would like to allow their patrons to “check-out” a visit to our historic site. Library Museum Passes are valid for one year after date of purchase. They may be borrowed and used by any active patron of your library to access free daytime historic tour admission to Eastern State for up to six people. Learn more about this program and apply here!

Your membership contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you need more information for tax purposes, please email us at [email protected] to request a detailed receipt.

2017 American Aliance of Museums Excellence in Exhibitions Overall Winner