The Tour Guide Chronicles

Eastern State, Then & Now

Posted: April 25, 2011

Eastern State’s story has always been one of change over time, and that is not something that ended when the penitentiary was abandoned in 1971. A lot has changed since the site opened for tours in 1994 and in the four years since I have been working at Eastern State here are some of the changes I have noticed:

  • The links of Cellblocks 5, 6, and 3 (the hospital) are now open
  • The Punishment Cells opened in 2010
  • The Synagogue has been restored and was opened in 2009
  • Cellblock 8 opened this year
  • Cellblock 7 has been reopened
  • The TowerCam exhibit was installed in 2010

This year, Eastern State will finish stabilizing the Catholic Chaplain’s Office to have it open to the public by 2012. You can catch a glimpse of the project on the new Hand-On History tours offered every day this season. Hope to see you soon!

Colleen L. McCann
Tour Guide