January at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is all about reflection, action, and deeper understanding as the historic site turns its focus to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the long fight for civil rights in America. Through virtual conversations, guided and self-guided tours, and creative, hands-on activities, visitors are invited to explore how the nation’s founding ideals connect to ongoing struggles for justice, equality, and civic responsibility. January’s programs center on accountability, the power of civic action, and the people who have challenged unjust systems throughout history.
Justice 101: Civil Rights and the Declaration of Independence
Kicking off the month’s programming is Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement – Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence, taking place online Wednesday, January 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom and YouTube. Powered by the Eastern State Center for Justice Education, this discussion series uses history and civic education to unpack pressing issues in the criminal justice system today.
For this program, legal scholar Dorothy E. Roberts, J.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, joins Eastern State President and CEO Dr. Kerry Sautner for a compelling conversation on civil rights movements within the justice system and the ongoing struggle for fairness. Together, they will examine key moments, movements, and figures that fought for religious freedom, due process, humane conditions, and a more just criminal legal system, encouraging audiences to reconsider what civil rights mean—especially for people behind bars. Interested participants can register for this free virtual program online.
The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice Weekend
From Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19, 2026, Eastern State hosts The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice Weekend, a multi-day series of experiences honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visitors can immerse themselves in programming that ties Eastern State’s own history to the wider Civil Rights Movement and the country’s unfulfilled promises of freedom and equality.
The Finding Justice Self-Guided Tour runs Friday, January 9 through Wednesday, January 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed Tuesdays) and is included with admission. This powerful experience highlights the voices of prominent civil rights leaders and incarcerated people, showing how their struggles inside Eastern State connect to broader efforts for equality across the nation and inviting reflection on the ongoing pursuit of justice, both within prison walls and beyond.
Guide-Led Tours and Creative Activities for All Ages
During the MLK weekend, the Guide-Led Tour & Discussion receives special expanded content focused on Eastern State’s connection to the Civil Rights Movement and the nation’s promises of freedom and equality. Offered Saturday, January 17 through Monday, January 19 at 12:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. on weekends, this enhanced tour surfaces powerful stories of resilience and encourages visitors to think critically about justice today. Capacity is limited, so guests are encouraged to purchase timed Guide-Led Tour tickets for the day they plan to visit.
From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. those same days, visitors can drop into Finding Justice: Hands-On Activities, designed for all ages and experience levels and included with admission. Highlights include Freedom Poetry, inspired by Langston Hughes, other Civil Rights poets, and writings from people once incarcerated at Eastern State; the “Promises of Freedom” Wish Wall, where guests respond to the question “What’s your wish for the United States?” in partnership with Made By Us; and a Family Story Station offering children’s books connected to Civil Rights themes, providing space for families to read and reflect together.
Art, Reflection, and Dr. King’s Legacy
On Saturday, January 17, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Eastern State welcomes artist Mark Loughney for a family-friendly, drop-in art activity. All supplies and instructions are provided, and guests can explore the power of transformation through art while creating a piece to take home. This session is also included with admission, making it an easy addition to a full day of learning and reflection.
Eastern State’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day program takes place Monday, January 19, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., both in-person at the historic site and online via Zoom and YouTube. This immersive two-hour experience explores the ongoing work of holding the United States accountable to its founding promise that all people are created equal and entitled to fundamental rights. Through moving music from the Black Breath Collective, along with storytelling and readings, participants will encounter the voices and actions of those who fought for civil rights and challenged the nation to live up to its ideals, whether they join onsite or from home.