Pullman House Project’s Mike Shymanski attended the funeral service for Reverend Jesse Jackson at the House of Hope in Pullman National Historical Park and was interviewed in this CBS News Chicago segment that aired on March 6, 2026. With songs, heartfelt words, and tears, the nation said goodbye to the civil rights icon. Many people arrived hours before the doors opened at 9 a.m., anticipating large crowds—and their expectations proved correct. “I have a lot of affection for the work that Reverend Jackson did through his entire life,” Shymanski said. @shardaaonscene @cbschicago

To step off the train at the 111th Street Station in the 1880s was to enter a different world. As steam hissed and the locomotive settled into the platform, visitors emerged to find Pullman, not merely a factory town, but a carefully composed landscape of order, beauty, and ambition. Directly ahead, the great Administration Building rose over the South Side prairie, its brick tower catching the light as smoke curled from the workshops behind it. But what struck most first-time visitors wasn’t the industry, it was the park-like setting. Broad lawns rolled outward in every direction, edged with flower beds, trimmed hedges, young trees, and curving walks that looked almost as if they had been borrowed from an estate garden. The hum of carpenters, varnishers, and upholsterers building luxury rail cars blended with the quiet civility of a Sunday promenade. For many, the contrast was jarring in the best possible way: a place where heavy manufacturing and horticultural elegance existed side by side. The idea was intentional. Pullman wanted workers and guests alike to encounter a modern vision of American industry, efficient, prosperous, and refined. This untitled stereopticon view of the Administration Building, likely taken in the 1880s by photographer T. S. Johnson, captures that first impression from the south side of 111th Street, looking north. Courtesy of the @historicpullman . Take a tour of Pullman and see inside restored Pullman homes:

The Corliss Engine House once powered the entire Pullman factory, housing the massive 700-ton Centennial Corliss engine—first displayed at the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition and later brought here by rail. Designed with large viewing windows so workers, visitors, and passing train passengers could watch the engine turn, it served as the beating heart of production. In this 1950s view, cars sit where grass and shrubs grew in the 1880s, the original plantings long paved over. Weather-worn walls and industrial age fatigue obscure its significance, yet behind them once roared the machine that set Pullman in motion. Learn more on guided tours:

Looking for a captivating weekend activity? Step into history at the Pullman House Project! Explore meticulously restored historic homes, delve into the lives of past residents, and uncover the legacy of those who shaped the Pullman Industrial Complex. Join us for an immersive journey this weekend – where stories of families and industry intertwine! Photo from “At Home In Chicago; A Living History of Domestic Architecture” by Patrick F. Cannon and James Caulfield

Local elected officials have introduced bipartisan legislation to designate the Calumet Region as a National Heritage Area, a proposal that would elevate and help protect nationally significant places such as @Pullman National Historical Park. The designation recognizes the Calumet Region’s unique convergence of industrial history, cultural heritage, and natural resources, with Pullman playing a central role in telling the national story of labor, industry, and working-class migration. Encompassing sites along the southern tip of Lake Michigan, including Pullman National Historical Park, the region reflects how industry, community life, and the natural environment shaped one another. Supporters say the National Heritage Area designation would strengthen preservation and tourism efforts, expand educational opportunities, and ensure Pullman’s enduring legacy is recognized and shared with future generations. See full story in comments.

On December 23, 2023, the Hotel Florence stood wrapped in a gentle winter fog, its long veranda and red-brick façade fading softly into the quiet morning. The mist gave the grand old hotel a dreamy, romantic beauty — the kind that stirs memories of footsteps, voices, and elegance that once filled its rooms. In the stillness of Pullman National Historical Park, it felt as though the Hotel Florence was quietly remembering its past and inviting us to pause with it.

On December 16, 1895, a shocking assassination attempt targeted two prominent figures: George M. Pullman and Philip Armour. Two separate pipe bombs—hidden in wooden packages with drawer mechanisms—were intercepted thanks to the vigilance of a local postal worker. The bombs were discovered near mailboxes on Wabash Avenue in the South Loop, one at 14th Street and the other at 21st Street. The packages were rigged with matches designed to ignite when opened—a sad and chilling reminder of the dangers corporate leaders in the public eye have faced throughout the years. ✨ Check out the full story in the comments 👇📖 #ChicagoHistory #PullmanLegacy #HeroicMailman #SouthLoopStories #HistoricPullman #EverydayHeroes

Due to the inclement weather, we’re pausing our walking tours for the remainder of the month to keep everyone safe and comfortable. ❄️🌬️ But Pullman is still open to you—stop by the @pullmanclubcoffee to warm up with a hot beverage and treat yourself to one of our delicious sweet offerings. From cozy lattes to fresh pastries, we’ve got the perfect pick-me-up for a winter day. ☕🍰 Stay warm, stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming you back on our tours soon!

For one elegant moment in time, travel wasn’t just about getting from place to place—it was an experience. ✨ This illustration captures travelers aboard a Pullman Palace Car, surrounded by rich woodwork, plush upholstery, and attentive service that set a new standard for comfort in the late 19th century. George Pullman’s vision transformed rail travel, offering luxury and refinement to passengers journeying across America. And today, visitors to Pullman National Historical Park can step beyond the luxury cars and explore the other side of the story—touring inside original worker cottages and learning what daily life was like for the people who built these legendary railcars. Tickets are available at: #Pullman #Railroad #Train #Victorian #GildedAge #Chicago

The interior of the Hotel Florence in Pullman National Historical Park is prominently featured in Episodes 7 & 8 of Netflix’s new Monster series! 🎬 In this shot, a small room in the rear of the hotel’s service wing appears as a patient workshop — and through the window, you can even spot the homes along St. Lawrence Avenue. 👀 Want to learn how Pullman has become a favorite Hollywood filming location? 🎥 Join one of our tours! 🎟️ Get tickets here: pullmanhouseproject.eventbrite.com #Pullman #HotelFlorence #Netflix #MonsterSeries #RyanMurphy #EdGein #MonsterTheLyleAndErikMenendezStory #NetflixSeries #BehindTheScenes #OnSet #FilmLocation #ChicagoHistory #PullmanHouseProject #FilmInPullman #HistoricPullman #PullmanNationalHistoricalPark

🎬 The Hotel Florence at Pullman National Historical Park appears in Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Ep. 7), filmed as the asylum where Gein lived after his horrific crimes. 🏨 Learn how iconic buildings in Pullman have been used in films 🎥 👉 #PullmanHistory #FilmInChicago #RyanMurphy #Netflix #Horror #EdGein

Last year, the Historic Pullman House Tour partnered with the Pullman House Project to showcase a Honeymoon Row unit. This hallway leads to the back porch + community bath. 🏡 See more Oct 11–12! #Pullman #HistoricPullman #HouseTour #ChicagoHistory #PullmanHouseTour