Friends of Pullman National Historical Park

Friends of Pullman National Historical Park Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friends of Pullman National Historical Park, 11141 S Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL.

As the official friends group for Pullman National Historical Park, our mission is to preserve and protect its cultural heritage and amplify its uniquely American stories for current and future generations.

The exterior walls of the Rear Erecting Shop rise above the landscape at Pullman National Historical Park in this photo ...
09/02/2026

The exterior walls of the Rear Erecting Shop rise above the landscape at Pullman National Historical Park in this photo taken on July 29, 2026. Although the building’s interior was almost completely destroyed by fire in the 1990s, all of its exterior walls remain standing and have since been stabilized.

This view captures both how far the site has come and how much potential remains. A major renovation of the interior is still needed, but the survival of this remarkable structure gives us hope that the Rear Erecting Shop can one day welcome visitors and help tell the stories of the thousands of employees who worked within its walls.

The Chicago Tribune recently published a story looking back at the electrification of the Illinois Central Railroad and ...
09/01/2026

The Chicago Tribune recently published a story looking back at the electrification of the Illinois Central Railroad and how it transformed commuting in Chicago.

In 1926, the Illinois Central electrified its suburban service, replacing the smoky, noisy steam locomotives that had traveled the lakefront for decades. The new electric trains offered a remarkably smoother and quieter ride between downtown Chicago and the south suburbs.

The change was considered such a major achievement that Chicago celebrated the formal launch on August 7, 1926, with parades, civic leaders and railroad officials.

Nearly 50 years later, this 1972 photo captures passengers boarding an Illinois Central Highliner, greeted by trip coordinator Rita Charuhas and conductor Connie Lundquist.

Photo: Tom Kinahan/Chicago Today

Calling all interior-design enthusiasts! Discover the character and creativity found inside Pullman’s historic homes dur...
09/01/2026

Calling all interior-design enthusiasts! Discover the character and creativity found inside Pullman’s historic homes during the 53rd Annual Pullman House Tour.

This inviting bedroom pairs cream-colored beadboard and sage-green walls with warm, honey-colored wood trim and an Eastlake-style bed, possibly made by Chicago’s Tobey Furniture Company. It is a beautiful example of how homeowners in Pullman National Historical Park combine period furnishings with contemporary colors and finishes.

Come find inspiration on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, 2026. Ticket information will be posted in the comments.

Planning a trip to Pullman National Historical Park? Pick up a “Pullman on Foot” brochure at the Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. ...
08/31/2026

Planning a trip to Pullman National Historical Park? Pick up a “Pullman on Foot” brochure at the Exhibit Hall, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, and take a self-guided tour through the historic company town. It’s a helpful way to find your way around while learning about the people who lived and worked in Pullman.

The story of Pullman and Roseland is told not only through factories, churches, and homes, but also through the people w...
08/30/2026

The story of Pullman and Roseland is told not only through factories, churches, and homes, but also through the people who cared for the communities that grew around them.

Dr. Angelo Teodoro Ravasi was one of those people. Born in Sabbioncello, Como, Italy, on June 4, 1887, he arrived in the United States aboard the S.S. Tomaso di Savoia on September 3, 1915. After interning at Douglas Memorial Hospital, he established a medical practice on 115th Street in Pullman. He later moved his office to 111th Street, just across the railroad tracks in Roseland.

Dr. Ravasi’s journey into medicine was unusually international. He earned the equivalent of a medical degree from the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut, Lebanon. His credentials also included a letter documenting his academic achievements from the Instituto Missioni Africane in Verona, Italy.

He married Rosa Ida Schnorf, a nurse and accomplished medical professional in her own right. The daughter of Swiss immigrants, Rosa shared Angelo’s commitment to caring for others. Together, they reflected the immigrant experience that helped shape Pullman and Roseland: people arriving from different parts of the world, building professional lives, raising families, and serving the communities they came to call home.

Dr. Ravasi’s life and contributions were researched by Pullman resident Andy Bullen.

08/29/2026

Fashion from another era came to life today during the Wildwood Garden Party at Pullman National Historical Park.

One of the highlights was a fashion show featuring clothing inspired by the 1890s. This model wore a beautifully tailored outdoor ensemble in warm shades of brown, including a fitted jacket, striped high-collared blouse, necktie, wide white belt, and a divided skirt that allowed greater freedom of movement. Her straw boater hat, sturdy black boots, white gloves, and wooden picnic basket completed a look perfectly suited for an afternoon of recreation.

Hosted on the grounds of the Pullman State Historic Site, the event was inspired by the historic Wildwood Club, a 19th-century women’s social and philanthropic organization. Cricket, music, dancing, crafts, and period fashions offered visitors a lively glimpse into the leisure and social customs of the era.

Thank you to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for bringing this fascinating period of Pullman’s history to life.

The Pullman car continues to make its mark on pop culture. British Vogue recently turned a 1932 Pullman carriage into a ...
08/28/2026

The Pullman car continues to make its mark on pop culture. British Vogue recently turned a 1932 Pullman carriage into a glamorous fashion set, photographed by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz and featuring stars including Brian Cox, Letitia Wright and Luke Thompson. Nearly a century later, the Pullman name still evokes the glamour and romance of rail travel. Link to article in comments.

Published in H. R. Koopman’s 1893 book Pullman: The City of Brick, this rare photograph shows a row of homes near 108th ...
08/28/2026

Published in H. R. Koopman’s 1893 book Pullman: The City of Brick, this rare photograph shows a row of homes near 108th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue on a snowy winter night in Pullman National Historical Park. The prominent home on the corner has long since been demolished, and only a handful of images documenting it are known to exist. This version was enhanced and colorized with AI from the historic photograph. The original image and post are linked in the comments.

Creativity thrives in Pullman! At the Pullman Artspace Lofts, artists live, work and showcase their talents, bringing fr...
08/27/2026

Creativity thrives in Pullman! At the Pullman Artspace Lofts, artists live, work and showcase their talents, bringing fresh energy to Pullman National Historical Park through exhibitions and community initiatives. Discover the history, architecture and creativity that make Pullman so special during the 53rd Annual Pullman House Tour on October 10 and 11, 2026.

Pullman’s massive water tower was more than an impressive landmark. It was a vital part of the town’s fire protection sy...
08/26/2026

Pullman’s massive water tower was more than an impressive landmark. It was a vital part of the town’s fire protection system.

A 500,000-gallon tank at the top of the tower supplied water to hydrants at enough pressure to reach over any building in Pullman. In 1890, the system was activated 46 times, drawing approximately three million gallons of water. Shops and public buildings also had hoses ready so workers could respond even before firefighters arrived.

The tower reflected the careful planning and advanced infrastructure built into the town of Pullman.

Address

11141 S Cottage Grove Avenue
Chicago, IL
60628

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

(773) 785-8901

Website

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