Showing posts with label national historic landmark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national historic landmark. Show all posts

25 May 2012

shambles

As the prison expanded, each new cell block held more prisoners that the original ones. Over the years, Eastern has fallen into disrepair. Tourists support restoration efforts with the admission fee. Despite the negative effect it had on prisoners, it is an important piece of American history and a landmark to what detention facilities should not be.
(ISO 800, f/8.0, 1/50s)

23 May 2012

penitent

The original cells at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia were designed for prisoners to be penitent and come out of their prison sentence better men. (It didn't work.) Here's one stark, restored cell. The only source of light for them was one slit of a skylight that directed their gazes towards God.
(ISO 100, f/6.3, 30s)

01 March 2012

trumped

Donald Trump recently purchased the Old Post Office Pavilion with the intent of turning it into a hotel. At first, I was aghast at the possibility of him ruining such a beautiful building. As I read more about it, there's not much he can do to the exterior of the building since it's a National Historic Landmark, and he has to keep access to the clock tower open to the public. Looking at this picture, I think the interior would make a striking hotel. I hope I can afford to stay there someday!
(ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/60s)