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Eastern State Penitentiary, initially designated as Cherry Hill State Prison, commenced operations in 1829.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical records confirm that Eastern State Penitentiary, initially known as Cherry Hill State Prison, commenced operations in 1829.
Upon its completion, Eastern State Penitentiary was the largest and most expensive public structure erected in the United States at that time.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, upon its completion, Eastern State Penitentiary was recognized as the largest and most expensive public building constructed in the United States up to that period.
Eastern State Penitentiary was designed with a linear floor plan, similar to modern maximum-security prisons.
Answer: False
Explanation: Eastern State Penitentiary featured a distinctive radial "hub-and-spoke" floor plan, not a linear one.
John Haviland, the architect of Eastern State Penitentiary, was inspired by ancient Roman coliseums for its design.
Answer: False
Explanation: John Haviland's architectural inspirations for Eastern State Penitentiary were drawn from contemporary prisons and asylums in England and Ireland, not ancient Roman coliseums.
Eastern State Penitentiary was originally named Cherry Hill State Prison.
Answer: True
Explanation: The penitentiary's original designation during its planning and construction phase was Cherry Hill State Prison.
The penitentiary was built on approximately 10 acres of land known as Cherry Hill.
Answer: True
Explanation: The site selected for the penitentiary comprised approximately ten acres of farmland situated on an elevated area known as Cherry Hill.
Upon completion in 1836, Eastern State Penitentiary had a capacity to house 450 prisoners.
Answer: True
Explanation: The initial construction phase concluded in 1836, providing accommodation for approximately 450 inmates.
Eastern State Penitentiary is designed in the Modernist architectural style.
Answer: False
Explanation: Eastern State Penitentiary is designed in the Gothic Revival architectural style, characterized by its imposing, castle-like exterior.
Which British architect designed Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: John Haviland
Explanation: The architectural design of Eastern State Penitentiary was undertaken by the British architect John Haviland.
Eastern State Penitentiary's architectural design, featuring a central hub and radiating cell blocks, served as a model for approximately how many prisons worldwide?
Answer: Over 300
Explanation: The innovative radial design of Eastern State Penitentiary became highly influential, serving as a model for more than 300 correctional facilities globally.
What was the original name given to Eastern State Penitentiary during its construction phase?
Answer: Cherry Hill State Prison
Explanation: During its initial development and construction, Eastern State Penitentiary was known by the name Cherry Hill State Prison.
The radial floor plan of Eastern State Penitentiary, with its central hub and radiating cell blocks, is often referred to as a:
Answer: Hub-and-spoke design
Explanation: The distinctive architectural layout, characterized by a central administrative hub from which cell blocks radiate outwards, is commonly described as a hub-and-spoke design.
What was the capacity of Eastern State Penitentiary when its construction was fully completed in 1836?
Answer: 450 prisoners
Explanation: Upon the full completion of its initial construction phase in 1836, Eastern State Penitentiary was designed to accommodate approximately 450 inmates.
The "Pennsylvania system" refined at Eastern State Penitentiary emphasized congregate labor and minimal inmate contact as the primary means of rehabilitation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Pennsylvania system emphasized isolation and solitary confinement, not congregate labor, as its core rehabilitative strategy.
The primary goal of the Pennsylvania system at Eastern State was to inflict maximum suffering on inmates through harsh labor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary goal was rehabilitation through isolation and reflection, not inflicting suffering via harsh labor.
The "individual-treatment system" at Eastern State involved inmates working together in large groups during the day.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "individual-treatment system," or Pennsylvania system, was characterized by solitary confinement and minimal inmate interaction, contrasting with congregate labor systems.
What was the primary philosophy behind the "Pennsylvania system" implemented at Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: Isolation and solitary confinement were key to rehabilitation and reflection.
Explanation: The core tenet of the Pennsylvania system was that isolation and solitary confinement would lead inmates to reflect on their actions, fostering genuine penitence and rehabilitation.
Which system, exemplified by Sing Sing prison, contrasted with Eastern State's "Pennsylvania system"?
Answer: The Auburn System (or New York System)
Explanation: The Auburn System, characterized by congregate work in silence and corporal punishment, stood in contrast to the Pennsylvania system's emphasis on solitary confinement.
What was the original purpose of the penitentiary, beyond mere punishment?
Answer: To guide criminals toward spiritual reflection and change.
Explanation: Beyond punishment, the penitentiary was conceived as an institution to foster spiritual reflection and facilitate genuine change in criminals, guiding them toward penitence.
The "Pennsylvania system" is also commonly known by what other name?
Answer: The Separate System
Explanation: The "Pennsylvania system" is frequently referred to by the alternative designation, the "Separate System," reflecting its core principle of isolating inmates.
The skylight in each cell at Eastern State Penitentiary, known as the "Eye of God," was intended to symbolize the constant surveillance of divine authority, promoting spiritual reflection.
Answer: True
Explanation: The design incorporated a single skylight in each cell, referred to as the "Eye of God," intended to represent divine oversight and encourage penitence.
Cells at Eastern State Penitentiary were equipped with basic amenities like running water and a flush toilet, which were considered advanced for the 19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cells were indeed equipped with advanced features for the era, including running water and flush toilets.
To prevent communication, Haviland's design included features like direct cell-to-cell access points and open exercise yards.
Answer: False
Explanation: Haviland's design incorporated features specifically to *prevent* communication, such as individual cells and limited access points, rather than direct cell-to-cell access or open yards.
What was the intended symbolic meaning of the single skylight in each cell at Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: To represent the "Eye of God," symbolizing divine oversight.
Explanation: The skylight, often termed the "Eye of God," was designed to symbolize divine surveillance, encouraging inmates toward introspection and penitence.
Which of the following was a feature of the cells at Eastern State Penitentiary, considered advanced for their time?
Answer: Central heating circulating hot water.
Explanation: The cells incorporated advanced amenities for the 19th century, including a system for central heating that circulated hot water.
What was the purpose of the "Eye of God" skylight in the cells?
Answer: To symbolize divine oversight and encourage penitence.
Explanation: The skylight served a symbolic function, representing divine oversight and intended to prompt inmates towards spiritual reflection and repentance.
Which feature did John Haviland incorporate into the design to minimize inmate communication?
Answer: Rectangular openings in cell walls for passing items.
Explanation: Haviland's design included specific architectural elements, such as rectangular openings in cell walls, intended to limit inmate interaction and communication.
Al Capone and Willie Sutton were notable figures incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical accounts confirm that notorious individuals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton were held within Eastern State Penitentiary.
Forms of punishment at Eastern State Penitentiary included prolonged solitary confinement in dark cells, but physical torture methods were never employed.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historical accounts indicate that physical and psychological torture methods, such as dousing in freezing water and confinement in dark cells, were employed as forms of punishment.
Pep, a dog allegedly sentenced to life imprisonment in 1924, was assigned inmate number C2559 at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Answer: True
Explanation: Records indicate that a dog named Pep was assigned inmate number C2559, although the circumstances surrounding this are subject to anecdotal accounts.
In 1945, a major escape involving Willie Sutton occurred after inmates dug a tunnel measuring approximately 150 feet long.
Answer: False
Explanation: The significant escape involving Willie Sutton in 1945 occurred after inmates dug a tunnel measuring 97 feet, not 150 feet.
Which of the following was NOT a form of punishment used at Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: Public shaming through stocks and pillories.
Explanation: While severe punishments like solitary confinement, freezing water immersion, and tongue-chaining were employed, public shaming devices like stocks and pillories were not characteristic of the penitentiary's methods.
Eastern State Penitentiary officially abandoned the solitary confinement system due to a lack of funding for its upkeep.
Answer: False
Explanation: The solitary confinement system was officially abandoned primarily due to overcrowding issues, not a lack of funding.
SCI Graterford was built before Eastern State Penitentiary and served as its initial model.
Answer: False
Explanation: SCI Graterford was established later, in the 1920s, partly in response to issues at Eastern State Penitentiary; it did not serve as its initial model.
The group therapy program initiated in 1967 at Eastern State Penitentiary was mandatory for all inmates.
Answer: False
Explanation: The group therapy program, initiated in 1967, was voluntary, not mandatory for all inmates.
Why did the solitary confinement system at Eastern State Penitentiary eventually collapse?
Answer: Overcrowding issues making isolation impossible.
Explanation: The penitentiary's solitary confinement system ultimately became unviable due to significant overcrowding, necessitating a shift away from strict isolation.
Eastern State Penitentiary was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and ceased operations as a prison in 1971.
Answer: True
Explanation: The designation as a National Historic Landmark occurred in 1965, and the penitentiary officially ceased its function as a correctional facility in 1971.
After closing, the site of Eastern State Penitentiary was immediately redeveloped into a popular tourist attraction.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following its closure, the site underwent a period of abandonment and faced redevelopment proposals before eventually being preserved and reopened as a museum and tourist attraction.
Significant preservation efforts at Eastern State Penitentiary began in 1991, adopting a "preserved ruin" approach.
Answer: True
Explanation: Substantial preservation initiatives commenced in 1991, employing the strategy of maintaining the site as a "preserved ruin" to showcase its historical state.
Eastern State Penitentiary was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1965.
Answer: False
Explanation: While designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1965, its addition to the National Register of Historic Places occurred on October 15, 1966.
When did Eastern State Penitentiary officially close its doors as a functioning prison?
Answer: 1971
Explanation: Eastern State Penitentiary ceased its operations as a correctional institution in 1971.
What was the state of the Eastern State Penitentiary site during its period of abandonment after 1971 and before its preservation?
Answer: A forest grew within the walls, and stray cats inhabited the grounds.
Explanation: During its period of abandonment following closure, the site became overgrown, with vegetation taking root within the prison walls and stray animals inhabiting the grounds.
What happened to many inmates and guards after Eastern State Penitentiary closed in 1971?
Answer: They were transferred to Graterford Prison.
Explanation: Upon the closure of Eastern State Penitentiary in 1971, a significant number of its inmates and correctional staff were transferred to the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Graterford.
The restoration of the Jewish Synagogue within Eastern State Penitentiary is known as the:
Answer: Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue Project
Explanation: The initiative to restore the Jewish Synagogue within the penitentiary is formally recognized as the Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue Project.
What was the function of the Solarium built above the hospital block in 1922?
Answer: To combat tuberculosis by providing sunshine and fresh air.
Explanation: The Solarium was constructed to utilize sunlight and fresh air as therapeutic measures against tuberculosis, a common ailment within correctional facilities at the time.
Eastern State Penitentiary was added to the National Register of Historic Places in what year?
Answer: 1966
Explanation: Eastern State Penitentiary was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
The "Death Row, The Last Cell block Built" project focused on restoring which part of cellblock 15?
Answer: The roof and drainage system.
Explanation: The "Death Row, The Last Cell block Built" project specifically addressed the restoration of the roof and drainage system for cellblock 15.
The inclusion of Eastern State Penitentiary on the "World Monuments Watch" list in 1996 and 2000 indicated what?
Answer: It was considered one of the world's most endangered cultural heritage sites.
Explanation: Inclusion on the "World Monuments Watch" list signifies that a site is recognized as being among the world's most endangered cultural heritage locations, highlighting the need for preservation efforts.
Today, Eastern State Penitentiary functions solely as a historical monument with no public access allowed.
Answer: False
Explanation: Currently, Eastern State Penitentiary operates as a museum and historic site, offering public access through tours and exhibits.
Eastern State Penitentiary hosts an annual event called "Halloween Nights," which was formerly known as "Terror Behind the Walls."
Answer: True
Explanation: The popular annual Halloween event at Eastern State Penitentiary, known today as "Halloween Nights," was previously called "Terror Behind the Walls."
The museum at Eastern State Penitentiary attracts approximately 50,000 visitors annually.
Answer: False
Explanation: The museum attracts a significantly larger number of visitors, estimated at close to 220,000 annually.
The tour at Eastern State Penitentiary concludes with an exhibit focusing on the history of prison art.
Answer: False
Explanation: The tour concludes with an exhibit titled "Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration," which addresses contemporary issues in the U.S. prison system.
The "Purge Incomplete" art exhibit by Mary Jo Bole focuses on the prison's historical library system.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mary Jo Bole's "Purge Incomplete" exhibit examines the history of plumbing within the penitentiary, not its library system.
Which of the following art exhibits has been featured at Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: Recollection Tableaux
Explanation: Among the various art installations featured at Eastern State Penitentiary, "Recollection Tableaux" by Susan Hagen has been presented.
What is the primary focus of the "Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration" exhibit?
Answer: Educating visitors about the current U.S. prison system and mass incarceration.
Explanation: This exhibit aims to inform visitors about the contemporary landscape of the U.S. prison system and the phenomenon of mass incarceration.
What is the approximate annual visitor count for Eastern State Penitentiary?
Answer: 220,000
Explanation: The site attracts an estimated 220,000 visitors annually, functioning as a significant historical attraction.
Which of the following feature films has used Eastern State Penitentiary as a filming location?
Answer: Twelve Monkeys
Explanation: The penitentiary's distinctive architecture and atmosphere have made it a filming location for various productions, including the feature film "Twelve Monkeys."