Friends of Pullman National Historical Park

08/20/2026

In the 1890s, for Pullman residents, the kitchen was the warmest room in the home. Often, cots were set up around the stove to keep residents warm overnight. This rendering, published in the Chicago Tribune on March 9, 1893, depicts the interior of a kitchen in a Pullman house along Champlain Avenue.

08/20/2026

Pullman National Historical Park was featured on PBS NewsHour with famed journalist Judy Woodruff as part of her “Crossroads: America at 250” series. Rod Lewis from our partner, the Pullman House Project, shared the history of the company town and the Pullman Strike, while 90-year-old former Pullman worker Al "Pullman Al" Quiroz talked about working at Pullman-Standard and why Pullman still means so much to him. Check out this great look at Pullman and its place in American history!

This PBS NewsHour segment from “Crossroads: America at 250,” report...

08/19/2026

Talk about a ride back in time. During Railroad Days, visitors had the chance to cruise through Pullman National Historical Park aboard a vintage CTA bus, taking in the town’s historic streets and architecture along the way. It was a fitting way to celebrate Chicago’s transportation history in a place that helped shape how America moved.

08/18/2026

The Pullman Gas House originally located at 900 East 111th Street, was used for processing and storing natural gas. Its large windows and doors ensured proper ventilation to prevent fume buildup. Designed by Solon Beman, it was constructed in three stages: the first (westernmost) section, followed a few years later by the southern section with a distinctive octagonal turret, and finally, a large storage shed added at the rear. The entire complex was demolished in the 1950s, and the site is now covered by a road.

08/17/2026

Classic cars looked right at home on the streets of Pullman National Historical Park during Railroad Days. Visitors got an up-close look at these beautifully preserved automobiles, including a few cruising past the Hotel Florence. It was another way Railroad Days brought transportation history to life, from the rails to the road.

08/16/2026

These February 1893 headlines captured the collapse of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, one of the early shocks of the Panic of 1893.

As the depression spread, railroad orders plummeted and the Pullman Company cut jobs and wages. Those hardships eventually helped push Pullman workers to walk off the job in May 1894, sparking the Pullman Strike.

A railroad collapse that helped set in motion events that would reach Pullman and change American labor history.

08/15/2026

Railroad Days was also a chance to explore the streets of Pullman National Historical Park. Visitors walked through the town, taking in the rows of distinctive 1880s homes built for Pullman workers and their families. More than 140 years later, these houses remain an important part of the story and character of Pullman.

08/14/2026

Starbucks is coming to Pullman National Historical Park. Expected to open in late 2027, it’s part of another wave of economic development bringing new restaurants, jobs and amenities to town. Since 2009, Pullman and neighboring Roseland have attracted about $900 million in public and private investment, with even more development on the way. Story in comments.

08/13/2026

To infinity...and beyond!

Grab your lawn chair, bring your favorite snacks, and enjoy a magical summer evening under the stars as we watch Toy Story on the big screen at the historic Hotel Florence in Pullman National Historical Park. Follow Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Rex, Hamm, and the rest of Andy's unforgettable toys on an adventure that's fun for kids and adults alike.

Movie Night takes place on Friday, August 14, at sunset at 11111 S. Forrestville Ave. Admission is free, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a great night of community, laughter, and one of Pixar's most beloved classics.

A special thank you to our community partners for making this event possible, especially 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, the Pullman State Historic Site, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, along with everyone working together to bring another memorable evening to Pullman National Historical Park.

08/12/2026

Explore Chicago’s Far South Side by bike. Join 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale and community partners on Saturday, August 15, for a bike ride and tour of Big Marsh Bike Park and the Ford Calumet Environmental Center.

Meet at 11559 S. Stony Island at 9:30 a.m. for the tour and Divvy bike checkout, with the bike ride beginning at 10 a.m.

Divvy bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and require advance registration. To reserve a Divvy bike, email [email protected].

Come out for a morning of biking, exploring and learning more about the natural landscape of Chicago’s Far South Side.