A tour guide explaining the history of the museum as well as stories of attempted escapees.
Students exploring the hallways and prison cells.
Original furniture that would have been present within the cells. While operating, prisoners would have access to a bed, side table, desk and chair.
The deteriorating wall shows the mixture of horse hair and plaster used to build the prison.
Students learning about the children who spent time at the penitentiary for crimes such as robbery, murder and more.
Students posing for a group photo on one of the penitentiary’s staircases.
One of the prison’s vast hallways with adjoining cells.
The layout of the building, a snowflake shape, allowed guards to quickly look down each hallway. The design was later used in many other prisons.
The small outdoor space prisoners had access to for 30 minutes twice a day.
The inside Al Capone’s cell during his stay at the penitentiary. His connections and status allowed him nicer furniture and bedding.
Students visiting the Reading Terminal Market and trying different foods after their trip to the penitentiary.