Unlocking History is a video series that examines the intricacies of everyday life at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. Each month, 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.
Upcoming Topics:
Sports (September 2024) — From solitary exercise to team activities, learn more about the important role of sports at Eastern State, including the penitentiary’s integrated baseball teams and legendary boxer turned Eastern State baseball player Charles “Jack” Blackburn.
Hispanic & Latiné Heritage (September 2024) — Hear fascinating stories about Hispanic and Latiné people who lived and worked at Eastern State including Stephen De Ayala — prisoner and architect of the penitentiary’s eleventh cellblock.
Judaism (October 2024) — Learn more about Eastern State’s synagogue, likely the first to be built inside an American prison, and how Jewish people incarcerated at Eastern State practiced their religion inside the penitentiary’s walls.
Veterans (November 2024) — Eastern State Penitentiary’s 142-year history overlaps with many significant U.S. military milestones including the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Consider how guards, prisoners, and outside community members who served in the military connected over their shared experience as veterans.
Temperance (December 2024) — Temperance began in the early 1800s as a movement to limit the drinking of alcohol in the United States. In 1919 the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made the production, transport, and sale of “intoxicating liquors” illegal. Uncover the surprising history of these movements, and backlash against them, at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Civil Rights Movements (January 2025) — The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s had a significant impact on society, and life at Eastern State Penitentiary was no exception. Learn more about this and other civil rights campaigns and how they played out inside prison walls.
Father Paul Washington (February 2025) — From 1962 through 1987, Father Paul Washington was rector of the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. He also served as the Episcopal chaplain at Eastern State Penitentiary. Discover the story of Father Washington, a key figure in Philadelphia’s Black Power movement, and the important role he played in life at Eastern State.
Women (March 2025) — 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.
Reentry (April 2025) — 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.
Animals (May 2025) — 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.
LGBTQIA+ People (June 2025) — 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.”
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