The May edition of our Lunch and Learn Series is just a week away!
Just as hurricanes require the right conditions to form, so do major events like the Pullman Strike and Boycott of 1894. Next Thursday at 12:15 pm Central we’re taking a deeper look at the state of the country in the years preceding the strike and some of the conditions that set the stage for the “perfect storm” we know so well.
Don't miss "1893: The Calm Before the Storm"
Free event. No reservation required.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92422038830
As some of you may know, we recently expanded our team at Pullman! Here are some words from our new Superintendent Josh Wilks!
"Few places in our country tell the national story as clearly as Pullman. Here on Chicago’s South Side, the connections between history, people, and place continue to shape how the community lives and grows. That is what makes Pullman so compelling.
That kind of connection is what has drawn me to this work from an early age. For more than 25 years, I’ve worked in public service across nonprofit, state, and federal roles focused on community development and historic preservation. Over the past 13 years with the National Park Service, my work has centered on supporting parks and partners nationwide through grants, policy, and partnerships that help communities tell and sustain their stories.
Now, my story becomes part of this community, just as Pullman’s story continues to shape the lives of people across Chicago and beyond. As superintendent, my goal is to work alongside all of you to continue building awareness of Pullman and expanding how its stories are shared. Helping more people see Pullman as part of their city and their story is an important part of the park’s future.
My first priority will be listening and learning. I look forward to getting to know the community, partners, and staff, and to understanding how the park can best serve Chicago. There is a lot to learn here, and I’m ready to begin."
Please join us in welcoming him to the park!
Get ready for the City Nature Challenge at Chicago's first National Park! Learn about the plants, critters, bugs, and birds that call Pullman home! Cities around the world are coming together to observe and identify local wildlife as part of the 2026 City Nature Challenge. Take part with us:
Saturday, April 25 (1:00–2:30 pm): Take a stroll through historic Pullman to observe and record local flora and fauna.
Sunday, April 26 (1:00–2:30 pm): Learn from local experts how to identify the wildlife in our backyards using the samples recorded on Saturday.
Join the fun on Saturday, Sunday, or both!
Image: A child with a magnifying glass taking a close look at a leaf in a park.
Image Credit: City Nature Challenge
Another rail focused Lunch and Learn is here!
David Duncan returns for the third year in a row to lead another deep dive into the many cars of the Pullman Company. Last year’s program explored the early editions of Pullman’s steel cars, but these designs continued to evolve into the mid-20th century with remarkable grace and luxury.
Join us on April 16th at 12:15 pm for a detailed look at the majesty of Pullman’s later steel cars.
Free event. No reservation required.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92422038830
Image: The promotional image for our April Lunch and Learn program
Image Credit: NPS Image
The first National Parks were nearly impossible to reach: paths to the parks required a hardy spirit willing to traverse rough land by foot, horse, or stagecoach. Meanwhile, travel to Europe was more convenient, affordable, and in style.
Join a ranger on Thursday March 19th at 12:15 pm as we explore clever campaigns that challenged citizens to See America First by train, and where Pullman fits into it all. Free. No reservation required.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92422038830
All Aboard for Trails and Rails!
If you love storytelling and history, don’t miss this new volunteer opportunity. We’re partnering with Amtrak to have volunteers lead tours on select routes this year, sharing stories about national parks, the Pullman legacy, and America’s vivid landscapes. Discover what it takes to join the crew at our upcoming open houses on the following dates:
Thursday March 12th from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday March 14th from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Saturday March 21st from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
We hope to see you there!
We are happy to announce that we are partnering with the Friends of Pullman National Historical Park for Black History Month to explore the connection between the Pullman Porters and the Civil Rights movement.
This panel presentation of distinguished speakers will highlight how the organizing efforts of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters across the nation helped influence the Civil Rights movement. Their efforts, including A. Philip Randolph still inspire organizers in the modern era.
We hope you’ll join us for this free program as we wrap up the month!
Lunch and Learn returns in 2026! Join us on for a virtual program on the third Thursday of every month at 12:15 pm for a virtual lunchtime program that explores fascinating stories from Pullman’s history. Here’s an early look at next year’s menu:
January 15
Order in the Court: The Case That Changed Pullman
February 19
Dining a la Pullman
March 19
See America First: Trains to the National Parks
April 16
8 Decades of Private Cars: The Later Steel Cars
May 21
1893: The Calm Before the Storm
June 18
Pullman on Parade: Celebrating America at 116 and 250
July 16
Next Stop, Hollywood! Pullman on the Silver Screen
August 20
Born, Work, Die: Realities of a Pullman Life
September 17
Lost Structures: The Architectural Ghosts of Pullman
October 15
A Grave of Stone and Iron
November 19
Behind Closed Doors: Secret Societies in Pullman
December 17
Decking the Halls: Holiday Interiors 1880 – 1930
We can't wait to see you there!
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/9242#chicagopolarexpress
Image: A promotional image for the Lunch and Learn programs this year
Image Credit: NPS Image
#Pullman #NationalParks #Railfan #Trains #Chicago
First and foremost we want to congratulate our Official Friends Group at the Historic Pullman Foundation on a successful holiday season filled with events!
As the new year begins, the Foundation will close its Exhibit Hall for the season while staff prepare an exciting lineup of programs and events. Although the Exhibit Hall will be closed, their team remains hard at work and available by email during this time. We look forward to welcoming them back when the Exhibit Hall reopens in late February or early March.
The Foundation is still happy to welcome visitors by request. If you’d like to visit the Exhibit Hall with a group, please contact them by email to schedule a time: [email protected]
Image: A shot of the mural on Historic Pullman Foundation's Exhibit Hall taken from the North.
Image Credit: Historic Pullman Foundation
#Pullman #Chicago #Railfan #SouthSide #NationalParks
Did you know that on this day in 1934, the Pullman Company merged its car-building operations with the Standard Steel Car Company to form the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company?
This merger combined Pullman’s long history of luxury passenger-car construction with Standard Steel’s strength in freight-car production, creating one of the largest and most influential railcar manufacturers in the United States. Pullman-Standard went on to build everything from streamlined passenger cars to freight cars and transit vehicles, leaving a legacy that shaped American railroading for decades.
When the Pullman Company dissolved and liquidated in 1969, it sold its various parts to several different companies. It’s fascinating to consider how many businesses today still carry pieces of Pullman’s legacy deep within their structures!
Image: The old Pullman Standard plant in Butler Pennsylvania. A railyard with a car on a track at the forefront.
Image Credit: James B. Holder
#Railfan #Pullman #NationalParks #Chicago #SouthSide #Train
Happy Holidays from all of us at Pullman National Historical Park!
As the season of reflection and celebration is here, we want to thank everyone who joined us this year to explore Pullman’s powerful stories of labor, community, and change. If you’re planning a visit, please note that although we are open today on Christmas Eve, we will be closed closed on Christmas Day.
We wish you a warm, joyful holiday season and look forward to welcoming when we reopen on the 26th!
Image: A historic photo of the Pullman Administration Clocktower Building
Image Credit: Historic Pullman Foundation
#Pullman #Chicago #Southside #Railfan #Christmas #Holidays #NationalParks
New Stamp Alert!
This year we've been celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. To commemorate the event, we’re excited to announce a brand-new, limited time, National Park passport stamp. This is meant to honor the porters whose courage, organization, and perseverance reshaped labor history and helped pave the way for the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Stop by the NPS Visitor Center to add this limited-time stamp to your passport and commemorate a century of Brotherhood, resilience, and change.
Image 1: The Passport stamp setup in the NPS Visitor Center at Pullman National Historical Park
Image 2: A closeup of the new Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Passport Stamp
Image Credit: NPS Image
#Pullman #Stamps #passportstamps #NationalParks #Chicago #SouthSide
