Unlocking History is a video series that examines the intricacies of everyday life at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. In each installment, our researchers delve into the archives and share a unique, often-overlooked slice of history through the lens of a specific person, community, or topic.
Unlocking History videos will be shared on our social media platforms and can also be viewed anytime on our YouTube channel once available.
Watch Now:
- Sports at Eastern State Penitentiary — From solitary exercise to team activities, this video invites viewers to learn more about the important role of sports at Eastern State. This includes the penitentiary’s integrated baseball teams and legendary boxer turned Eastern State baseball player Charles “Jack” Blackburn.
- The Engineering Achievements of Stephen De Ayala — Learn more about the design and engineering feats of Stephen De Ayala during his incarceration at the penitentiary in the late 19th century. This installment also includes excerpts from a present day interview with De Ayala's great-great granddaughter, Alexa Peregrim.
- Judaism at Eastern State Penitentiary — From solitary worship to the construction of the first ever prison synagogue, this video focuses on the practice of Judaism at Eastern State Penitentiary. How was the faith practiced by those living at Eastern State? What efforts are being made to preserve these sacred spaces today?
- How the Temperance Movement Impacted Eastern State Penitentiary — When people think of the Prohibition in the United States, they often think of speakeasies and bootleggers like Al Capone. But how did the temperance movement impact the day-to-day lives of incarcerated people? How did many of them come to support of the movement?
- The Life and Legacy of Reverend Paul Washington — Reverend Paul Washington (1921-2002) had a lengthy career as an Episcopalian priest and local activist in the Philadelphia community. But how did his work bring him to be the Episcopalian chaplain at Eastern State Penitentiary, which he deemed "a large and forbidding structure of concrete and steel in the heart of Philadelphia?" And how did he impact the lives of those who lived at the prison?
Upcoming Topics:
March 2025 — Women — During its first 100 years of operation, Eastern State Penitentiary housed nearly 1,000 women. Hear a few of their stories and reflect on the fact that women are the fastest growing segment of the American prison population today.
April 2025 — Reentry — Life after incarceration comes with many challenges. Engage with stories of people who overcame these barriers and made significant impacts on their communities after their release from Eastern State Penitentiary.
May 2025 — Animals — Animals play an important role in many of our lives, so it should come as no surprise that the same holds true for people in prison. Learn more about animals at Eastern State Penitentiary, including beloved dog Pep, and the role of animals in prisons today.
June 2025 — LGBTQIA+ People — As early as the 1880s, Eastern State Penitentiary was home to people who might identify as LGBTQIA+ today. Uncover the stories of some of these individuals including Isaac Hall also known to 19th-century Philadelphians as “Lady Washington.”
