Historic Pullman Foundation

Historic Pullman Foundation Since 1973, the 501(c)(3) not for profit Historic Pullman Foundation has provided for preservation, restoration, education and research activities in the Pullman Historic Landmark District - now the Pullman National Monument.
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The Town of Pullman, IL was one of the nation's first planned industrial communities, built in 1881 by George M. Pullman, President of Pullman's Palace Car Company. He decided to develop a model community, a total environment, superior to that available to the working class elsewhere. By so doing, he hoped to avoid strikes, attract the most skilled workers and attain greater productivity as a result of the better health, environment and spirit of his employees. Today, Pullman is a City of Chicago, State of Ilinois and National Historic Landmark District and a strong, historic community with a focus on preserving its heritage. About the Historic Pullman Foundation Established in 1973 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), the Foundation serves as a vehicle to acquire and restore important public buildings within the Pullman Historic District; to develop and provide educational programs and tours; and to conduct research and long range community planning to facilitate the continuing preservation and restoration of the Pullman Historic District. The Foundation furthers its mission with a dedicated group of volunteers, who provide tours and greet the thousands of visitors who come through our Historic Pullman Visitor Center each year; staff, who provide critical administrative services; and Board of Directors, who help assure long range strategic and short term administrative goals are realized.

The Town of Pullman, IL was one of the nation's first planned industrial communities, built in 1881 by George M. Pullman, President of Pullman's Palace Car Company. He decided to develop a model community, a total environment, superior to that available to the working class elsewhere. By so doing, he hoped to avoid strikes, attract the most skilled workers and attain greater productivity as a result of the better health, environment and spirit of his employees. Today, Pullman is a City of Chicago, State of Ilinois and National Historic Landmark District and a strong, historic community with a focus on preserving its heritage. About the Historic Pullman Foundation Established in 1973 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), the Foundation serves as a vehicle to acquire and restore important public buildings within the Pullman Historic District; to develop and provide educational programs and tours; and to conduct research and long range community planning to facilitate the continuing preservation and restoration of the Pullman Historic District. The Foundation furthers its mission with a dedicated group of volunteers, who provide tours and greet the thousands of visitors who come through our Historic Pullman Visitor Center each year; staff, who provide critical administrative services; and Board of Directors, who help assure long range strategic and short term administrative goals are realized.

Mission: The mission of the Historic Pullman Foundation is to provide education and resources to promote the preservation and history of the Town of Pullman - one of the nation's first planned industrial communities -as a City of Chicago, State of Illinois and National landmark district and as Chicago's only National Monument.

Temporarily closed

We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and continued suppo...
12/22/2020

We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and continued support from people like you, we were able to accomplish a lot in this challenging year.

Here's a brief look back at 2020.
We welcomed new Pullman National Monument Superintendent, Teri Gage.
We launched our online Be Monumental Membership Campaign.
We expanded our Historic Pullman Foundation Board.
We held a successful virtual "Annual Pullman House Tour."
We conducted in-person first Sunday of the Month walking tours.
And most important, work continues to move forward at Pullman National Monument, which remains on-track for its opening on Labor Day weekend 2021!
And while we had to postpone this year's Annual Pullman Candlelight House Walk, plan on celebrating this very popular holiday event with us next year.

We look forward to 2021 and all the exciting things ahead. In the meantime, thank you for your generous donations and support. We could not have done it without you!

Thanks to your generous Giving Tuesday donations, the Historic Pullman Foundation has raised over $4,000 and counting! Y...
12/03/2020

Thanks to your generous Giving Tuesday donations, the Historic Pullman Foundation has raised over $4,000 and counting! Your continued support enables us to preserve Pullman and the history surrounding America's first model industrial town, and the exciting future ahead when Pullman National Monument opens next year.

Pullman's stories are America's stories. Your gifts help ensure these stories continue to be told. Thank you!

TODAY'S THE DAY FOR GIVING!Giving Tuesday kicked off today Dec.1st at 7:00 am, and we're asking you to "Be Monumental" b...
11/21/2020

TODAY'S THE DAY FOR GIVING!
Giving Tuesday kicked off today Dec.1st at 7:00 am, and we're asking you to "Be Monumental" by helping us raise $10,000. Your gift, no matter the amount, helps the Historic Pullman Foundation continue our mission of providing education and resources that help preserve Pullman for future generations in partnership with Pullman National Monument set to open in 2021. Facebook will match a total of $7 million in donations on a first-come, first-served basis. So, donate early to double your impact!

"Be Monumental" with a donation to the Historic Pullman Foundation!

Pullman National Monument, National Park Service
11/13/2020

Pullman National Monument, National Park Service

Fall schedule update: As of November 13th the Shared Visitor Information Center located at 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave will be offering 20 minute tours at 11:30 a.m. 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. As always the Shared Visitor Information Center is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.. Hope to see you here!

3 Days Left to Weigh In! We need your input to help us best communicate with you. Please take this short survey, which w...
11/10/2020
Historic Pullman Foundation Communications Survey

3 Days Left to Weigh In!

We need your input to help us best communicate with you. Please take this short survey, which we are conducting in partnership with the National Park Service-Pullman National Monument, by November 25. Your responses will help us improve how we connect with you and others about the latest news at the Historic Pullman Foundation and what’s happening at Pullman National Monument. And please share this survey with anyone you know who cares about Pullman. Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6J22TBJ

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Please join us as we "virtually" celebrate the 47th Annual Pullman House Tour. We can't ask you to visit our wonderful h...
10/06/2020
Historic Pullman Virtual House Tour Celebration

Please join us as we "virtually" celebrate the 47th Annual Pullman House Tour. We can't ask you to visit our wonderful historic homes this year, but we can share the community spirit which has hosted this exciting event every year for the past 46 years, and we can invite you to join us in person next year for the 48th Pullman House Tour which will be held October 9th and 10th, 2021. Turn up the sound, find a comfy chair and join us for the next few minutes as we celebrate Pullman, past, present and future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1syu705XVps

https://pullmantouroctober.brownpapertickets.com Are you ready to get outside and visit the Pullman Historic District-...
09/09/2020
Pullman Historic District October "First Sunday" Guided Walking Tour

https://pullmantouroctober.brownpapertickets.com Are you ready to get outside and visit the Pullman Historic District- Chicago's only National Monument? Following all the Covid19 safety protocols, we have slowly reinstated our popular First Sunday Walking Tours and will offer our final guided tour for the season on Sunday, October 4. To maintain social distiancing, we will limit our tour groups to 10 persons per group.
Tours will start at 1:30 at the Visitor Information Center with a video introduction. Your expert guides will introduce you to the iconic buildings and history of the town built in 1880 by George M. Pullman. The Town of Pullman was called the World's Most Perfect Town in 1896; it was designated a City of Chicago, State of Illinois and a National Landmark District in the early 1970's; Pullman was recognized by the American Planning Association as one of America's Great Neighborhoods in 2011; and in 2015, Pullman was designated a National Monument.

To avoid cash transactions, tickets for this tour must be purchased in advance

Expertly guided walking tours of the Pullman Historic District.

Dear Senators Durbin and Duckworth and Congresswoman Kelly,The Historic Pullman Foundation's Friends and Members strongl...
08/15/2020

Dear Senators Durbin and Duckworth and Congresswoman Kelly,

The Historic Pullman Foundation's Friends and Members strongly support Chicago’s only national park – Pullman National Monument. We thank you for your continued support of Pullman and of all our national parks and especially thank you for introducing bills (S 2896 and HR 5420) that rename Pullman to “Pullman National Historical Park,” the designation we were all working together to create in 2014.

The bill contains all the provisions from the original legislation designed to help the National Park Service work more closely with partners in Pullman on behalf of historic preservation. Renaming Pullman to be a National Historical Park will more accurately describe what visitors come to experience – a part of our history that honors uniquely American stories, including the role of railroads in America’s industrial past, the formation of the first African-American labor union, and development of the country’s first model industrial town.

By "liking" this post we express our support to move this bill into law during the 116th Congress.

It's still a good time to visit to Pullman!
08/07/2020

It's still a good time to visit to Pullman!

Planning a stay-cation in South Chicago this weekend? Check out a new Trails App (or web page) from the Southland Convention & Visitor's Bureau for ideas.

There's a suggested itinerary for "Trains--the Chicago Southland Rail System" that starts at Pullman National Monument!
https://www.visitchicagosouthland.com/TrailsandItineraries

#findyourpark #MidwestNPS

On exhibit today for the first time is a scale model of the Town of Pullman. The model is constructed from documentation...
08/02/2020

On exhibit today for the first time is a scale model of the Town of Pullman. The model is constructed from documentation circa 1893, at a scale of 1:100 and includes the majority of the industrial structures located between 107th Street on the north and 112th Street on the south on lands which are about 1/3 of the total land area developed by the Pullman Land Association. The industrial structures closely replicate the original buildings by using 3D modeling. The model has been prepared for the National Park Service by the Historic Pullman Foundation, and will be used as an interpretive tool.
Special thanks to Al White and Alexis Gahan-Lopez for their work on the component parts and to a team of volunteers who participated in the assembly.

#25- visit Pullman and join a First Sunday tour
07/28/2020
The 59 best things to do in Chicago right now

#25- visit Pullman and join a First Sunday tour

Find essential attractions, delicious restaurants, amazing nightlife and more in this list of the best things to do in Chicago.

You are invited to listen to this excellent podcast
07/26/2020
Pullman

You are invited to listen to this excellent podcast

Perhaps no city in the United States exceeds Chicago in the number, breadth, intensity, and national importance of labor upheavals. One of our most recent national park service sites celebrates and remembers the contributions to American society of an ingenious entrepreneur, but more importantly, th...

Are you ready to get outside and visit the Pullman Historic District- Chicago's only National Monument? Following all th...
07/21/2020
Pullman Historic District "First Sunday" Guided Walking Tours

Are you ready to get outside and visit the Pullman Historic District- Chicago's only National Monument? Following all the Covid19 safety protocols, we are slowly reinstating our popular First Sunday Walking Tours and will offer a guided tour on Sunday, August 2. To maintain social distiancing, we will limit our tour groups to 10 persons per group. Tours will start at 1:30 at the Visitor Information Center with a video introduction. Your expert guides will introduce you to the iconic buildings and history of the town built in 1880 by George M. Pullman. The Town of Pullman was called the World's Most Perfect Town in 1896; it was designated a City of Chicago, State of Illinois and a National Landmark District in the early 1970's; Pullman was recognized by the American Planning Association as one of America's Great Neighborhoods in 2011; and in 2015, Pullman was designated a National Monument.

To avoid cash transactions, tickets for these limited access tours must be purchased in advance @ https://pullmantours.bpt.me

Expertly guided walking tours of the Pullman Historic District.

Are you ready to visit the Pullman Historic District- Chicago's only National Park? Following all the Covid19 safety pro...
06/24/2020
Pullman Historic District "First Sunday" Guided Walking Tours

Are you ready to visit the Pullman Historic District- Chicago's only National Park? Following all the Covid19 safety protocols, we are going to slowly reinstate our popular First Sunday Walking Tours by offering a guided tour on Sunday, July 5. We will limit our tour groups to 10 persons per group. Tours will start at 1:30 at the Visitor Information Center with a video introduction. Your expert guides will introduce you to the iconic buildings and history of the town built in 1880 by George M. Pullman. The Town of Pullman was called the World's Most Perfect Town in 1896; it was designated a City of Chicago, State of Illinois and a National Landmark District in the early 1970's; Pullman was recognized by the American Planning Association as one of America's Great Neighborhoods in 2011; and in 2015 Pullman was designated a National Monument. Learn about the National Park Service plans and progress toward opening the official National Park Visitor Center scheduled for mid 2021.

To avoid cash transactions, tickets for these limited access tours must be purchased in advance @ https://pullmanwalkingtours.brownpapertickets.com

Expertly guided walking tours of the Pullman Historic District.

National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum
06/19/2020

National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

On June 18, 1941, A. Philip Randolph and others were invited to meet with President F. Roosevelt, who asked them to call off the first planned "March on Washington for jobs and equal participation in National Defense Industry". Randolph refused unless there was a change in legislation before the end of the month. As a result of Mr. Randolph’s dedication, and commitment to that cause — with the aid of Mrs. Eleanor who unknown to most was a dedicated Ally to Randolph, who believed in fairness without color—President Roosevelt her husband, signed Executive Order 8802, which banned all discriminatory practices by government contractors in the armed forces.

Randolph’s refusal to accept the discriminatory practices led to the organizing of the first March on Washington in 1941. And although it was called off because the President met their demands, that effort became the template for what would become the 1963 March on Washington that changed America.

Cc: Pullman National Monument, National Park Service Randolph's Dream Community Development Corporation

06/11/2020
Pullman National Monument, National Park Service

This is the first step towards reopening the Shared Pullman Visitor Information Center. We look forward to welcoming you on your visit to Pullman.

We Miss Visitors!
Please stop by Friday-Sunday between 11 and 3 outside the shared Visitor Information Center (six feet apart).

05/30/2020
lookaside.fbsbx.com

New Pullman article in the Summer 2020 issue of First and Fastest co authored by Historic Pullman Foundation Board Member Marsha Adduci with Mandy Burrell Booth.

Memorial Day, 2020 - Pullman remembers our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country
05/25/2020

Memorial Day, 2020 - Pullman remembers our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country

National Park Service announces a new booklet. Calling all Junior rail fans!https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/05-08-2020-jun...
05/08/2020
All Aboard! New Junior Ranger Railroad Program Available Online - Office of Communications (U.S. National Park Service)

National Park Service announces a new booklet. Calling all Junior rail fans!
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/05-08-2020-junior-ranger-railroad.htm?fbclid=IwAR1ExGHm4TUnbTgx0wIwx_aIYTJEnJPusNquqcyVLItGMh9HwL_X-5zm5ws

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS), Union Pacific Railroad and the National Park Foundation (NPF) today announced the release of the Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer activity booklet that can be obtained for free from NPS.gov. Issued just ahead of National Train Day and the Golden Spike a...

The Historic Pullman Foundation and one of our member businesses, Beyond Shades joined together to make face masks for o...
05/08/2020

The Historic Pullman Foundation and one of our member businesses, Beyond Shades joined together to make face masks for our neighbors at Roseland Hospital. Today we delivered 160 masks for these first responders. We hope that the masks using this gorgeous fabric provided by Thibaut will be day brighteners for these treasured health care providers at @RoselandCommunityHospital

05/03/2020

Reflections on this day by Historic Pullman Foundation volunteer Kathy Lynch.

On this pretty May morning, I stopped and realized it is the first Sunday of May...and I am filled with those mixed emotions we are all finding pop up during this stay at home time.

Normally, this date would have stars and highlights and alarms set at various intervals before 1-ish to remind me that I would have a tour to lead today.
For those who don’t know, for more years than I remember, I have been giving the “First Sunday Tours” for the Historic Pullman Foundation that we run from May through October.

But today, I realize that there are no alarms needed. I did not even have the date flagged on my calendar yet (I usually do this in a harried rush a week or two prior, saying to myself “oh crap, how is it May already??”).

While I am always a bit conflicted at tour time, this time it’s different.
Know that I really enjoy giving tours. I love sharing my crazy range of knowledge about the area, weaving a story about how this piece of history we live in came to be, and continues today. But it is also nerve wracking and draining - like how I imagine it is for folks going on stage, you get horrid stage fright before and then you are ON for 2 hours or so and completely engaged and excited. Then I am drained. So I always know that while I will have the enjoyment, I will be nervous before and drained a while after and it always presents mixed emotions when the day rolls around.

But today, knowing I don’t have a tour today leaves me a bit hollow. I know that I now have a gorgeous free day ahead. I also know the reason why and it leaves me sad, wondering when First Sunday will be back on my calendar. When we started this I did not even consider needing to cancel today. Now I wonder when our visitor center will be open again. When the National Park rangers will be there to greet me. When I will have those nerves and excitement. How will it be different.
Soon, I expect. Maybe June. Or July.

But in the meantime, I will try to enjoy my “free” first Sunday and try to look forward to future Sundays ahead.

04/24/2020
Actor Douglas Fairbanks Speaks to Pullman workers in 1918

It was 1918 and the US was at war. Actor Douglas Fairbanks visited Pullman to rally for the war effort...but no one had knowledge of the Spanish flu which would attack with a vengence later that year.

Actor Douglas Fairbanks speaks to Pullman Company employees on April 18, 1918 during World War I.

04/17/2020
National Park Foundation

National Park Foundation

As many people continue to stay close to home with their families, NPF invites you to explore new ways to connect with national parks and the park community.

Learn more this National Park Week: https://prks.org/3cswnRu

Address

11141 S Cottage Grove Ave
Chicago, IL
60628

accessible by Metra Electric via the 111th Street station; by CTA via 95th street station and #4 Cottage Grove bus

General information

PLEASE NOTE TEMPORARY HOURS ...The Pullman National Monument shared Visitor Information Center is open during posted hours, Friday - Sunday, 11am - 3pm. The Visitor Center is FREE to the public. Groups over 10 people are required to make an advance reservation. For information or to leave a message contact the Historic Pullman Foundation 773-785-8901, or Pullman National Monument 773-468-9310.

Telephone

(773) 785-8901

Website

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Videos

We are continuing to acquire objects we will use for the Pullman House Project. This 1919 Victrola will be used in our WW 1 unit. Crank up the sound and have a listen😁

2019 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report

The Historic Pullman Foundation presents it's 2019 Annual Report highlighting some of the events and activities sponsored and presented by the Historic Pullman Foundation and our volunteers over the past year.

Pullman House Tour 2019
Pullman House Tour 2019

Watch and listen as Author Jack Kelly (Edge of Anarchy) describes Pullman and promotes the 2019 Annual Pullman House Tour Join us for the 46th annual Pullman House Tour! October 12 and 13. Tickets can be purchased at https://pullmanhousetour2019.brownpapertickets.com

Don't forget... June 16...bring your Dad!

Edge Of Anarchy
Edge Of Anarchy

Edge of Anarchy discussion and book signing with author Jack Kelley - June 16, 2019

May 11... save the date

Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday

A big THANK YOU to our generous #GivingTuesday donors. With your help we raised nearly $5,000 towards our goal supporting our education programs. Pullman has long been a valued outdoor classroom and with your help we can continue to support educators throught the region.

Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday

Our fundraising goal of $10,000 will support 1000 students to visit Pullman in the coming year.#GivingTuesday

Discover Historic Pullman
Discover Historic Pullman

Discover Historic Pullman and now is the time! Pullman's annual House Tour is October 6-7. Tickets can be purchased online at pullmanhousetour2018.brownpapertickets.com

Pullman Voices - Mayme & Kitty
Pullman Voices - Mayme & Kitty

Mayme Stanley and Kitty Esterhammer share their Pullman memories. "Rushing the can ( of beer) from Bumtown back to Pullman, being sent as a messenger to the Hotel Florence and of course seeing Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Arcade Theater. Oral history recording by the Historic Pullman Foundation for the American Bicentennial Project

PullmanVoices - Nellie Davidson Evans - Part II
PullmanVoices - Nellie Davidson Evans - Part II

Adaptation of oral history documentation. PULLMAN VOICES -Nellie Davidson Evans - Part II. In this episode Nellie remembers the Pullman Arcade. She tells about shopping and a very special performance in the Arcade Theater. #PullmanVoices

Pullman Voices - Nellie Davidson Evans - Part III
Pullman Voices - Nellie Davidson Evans - Part III

Adaptation of oral history documentation. PULLMAN VOICES -Nellie Davidson Evans - Part III. In this episode Nellie tells about taking the street car to the World's Fair - the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the secret she discovered at the fair. #PullmanVoices

PullmanVoices - Nellie Davidson Evans -Part I
PullmanVoices - Nellie Davidson Evans -Part I

PULLMAN VOICES -Nellie Davidson Evans - Part I In this episode Nellie tells about her arrival in Pullman in 1891. This video is one in a series of adaptations of oral histories taken by the Historic Pullman Foundation as part of an American Bicentennial Project. If you liked this episode and want to see new Pullman Voices, like/follow the Historic Pullman Foundation. Previously posted Pullman Voices and other Pullman videos are in the video library on this page. #PullmanVoices

Pullman Voices - Dirk Wibalda
Pullman Voices - Dirk Wibalda

Pullman Voices - Dirk Wibalda. This is one in a series of oral history documents recorded as part of the Historic Pullman Foundation's 1976 American Bicentennial project. The original sound and video recordings document the voices of Pullman residents who lived in the Town of Pullman during the period from 1881-1907 and who tell the stories of life in Pullman, in their own words. The Pullman Voices video recordings have been edited and produced for this series. #PullmanVoices

Pullman Voice - Nellie Evans (part IV)
Pullman Voice - Nellie Evans (part IV)

In this episode of Pullman Voices, Nellie Davidson Evans remembers the Pullman Strike which started on the 11th day of May, 1894. #PullmanVoices

#PullmanVoices - Florence Lowden Miller
#PullmanVoices - Florence Lowden Miller

#PullmanVoices - Florence Lowden Miller. To celebrate today's dedication of the Florence Lowden Miller Historic Pullman Center we are releasing the first in our Pullman Voices video series. This episode features the 1975 oral history of Florence Lowden Miller, the grandaughter of George M Pullman. Over the next few weeks we will release new stories by Pullman Voices -stories of Pullman's past told by the people who lived it. #PullmanVoices

Mike J Gosnell Tours Pullman
Mike J Gosnell Tours Pullman

The 1998 fire in the Pullman Clock tower destroyed the fantasy for many who wished that they had the opportunity to climb those stairs and view the clock mechanism and bell. We are fortunate to have the recently restored black and white film of someone who did climb those stairs. Mike J. Gosnell (now Sr.) with his Fujica Z2 in hand made this film in the late 1960's. Join him on his tour of Pullman. (The film is about 10 minutes long with the Clock Tower in the last half)

The real vintage cars of Pullman
The real vintage cars of Pullman

If you missed seeing the vintage cars yesterday - check out this vintage film clip of the real vintage cars of Pullman.

The Pullman story interpreted with dance and horses.

The Pullman National Monument, National Park Service and The Eqqus Projects bring horses and dance to Pullman today.

Some tables, trees and scenes from Candlelight 2016. Thank you to Tony Dzik for sharing the photos.

Partners In Preservation : National Parks
Partners In Preservation : National Parks

THE PULLMAN NATIONAL MONUMENT VIES FOR GRANT IN PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION: NATIONAL PARKS, A CAMPAIGN CREATED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS AND THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Welcome to Pullman National Monument
Welcome to Pullman National Monument

Boy Scout Troup #19 (Normal, Illinois) visits Pullman National Monument. Visiting a National Monument is one of the achievements for award of the Boy Scout "Citizen of the Nation" merit badge. ...Among the objectives each Scout pursuing this badge must achieve is the follow "Do TWO of the following: a. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it. b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history. c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation. d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens."

Just in case you forgot what a monumental year this has been....

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PRESENTATION IN PULLMAN ON SUNDAY (tomorrow) Click to see the article in today's Block Club newsletter: https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/08/down-our-own-streets-roselands-role-in-underground-railroad-detailed-in-sunday-presentation/
Interested? Make and offer?
Please mark your calendars and "save these dates."
Had a great time today with Curious City co-hosting a Biketropolis Graceland Cemetery cycling tour. I covered George Pullman, his early career raising houses, Cold Springs Ranch/Pullman Switch, The Town of Pullman, The Strike, Pullman Porters, and Eugene Debs. Relive https://www.relive.cc/view/2493205191 Strava https://strava.app.link/KIA4H7zSWX Photo Album https://m.facebook.com/tom.limon.3/albums/10156997639310622
MY STUDENTS PAINTED A MURAL ABOUT PULLMAN HISTORY IN PILLMAN SCHOOL.
WHY THE WORK ON CHANGE IN CHICAGO GOVERNMENT HAS JUST BEGUN To bring some sobering reality to the hip-hop euphoria of an Andre Vasquez (formerly the hip-hop artist know as Prime) achieving Tuesday what Rhymefest (aka Che Smith) narrowly came chose to achieving four years ago in upsetting a thoroughly amoral Democratic machine born in hateration against our urban fine arts community, Unkel Mawk wishes to throw some sobering science into the game: *In a legendary 1969 speech at Olivet Baptist Church on Chicago’s Low End, or Near South Side, some weeks before his assassination. Chairman Fred Hampton of the Illinois Black Panther Party observed that having black folk in high office doesn’t assure that they’ll innately look after the interests of the vast majority of chaka zulu brothers and sisters. He illustrated with several examples on shore and off-shore, the Nkrumahs and Duvaliers among the example he cited. Chairman Fred posthumously evolved into a prophet after Harold died and his legislative crew were left to pursue their own self-centered and self-serving paths in public service. See excerpy at https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/fhamptonspeech.html. Likewise, having folk revered in elected office revered and embraced in hip-hop doesn’t assure that they’ll innate look after the interests of the vast majority of hip-hopheads as voters, taxpayers and businessfolk. To wit, 1) Detroit’s most disgraced former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, identified himself as the Hip-Hop Mayor without doing a blasted thing for heads in the Motor City, is begging the Feds. With hat in hand to reduce his 28-year sentence on multiple corruption charges; 2) At the time of the 1996 Democratic National Hip-Hop Convention at the United Center—when Billary Clinton was bashing hip-hop indirectly from the convention floor, Philly slumlady and feminist Democratic Party opportunist Dolores Tucker had bewitched a clueless U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Chicago) into backing a most predatory witch hunt on hip-hop and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) was the only one speaking up for us—VIBE magazine unilaterally declared U.S. Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago) and Harold Ford Jr. (D-Michigan) the “hip-hop politicians.” Ford, who would’ve been a Blue Dog super-delegate to that nominating gathering was nowhere to be found to response to that labeling, and we were advised that he was more singularly a “house kinda guy.” During a special news conference with the black media (I was the only print journalist at the time who bothered to file published stories from and around the convention hall, providing pool print urban media coverage for the likes of The Source), when my electronic media colleagues were too mortified to ask him the hard questions, I asked JJJ what he had done to earn the VIBE-bestowed title and what he was going to do about the Tucker-led witch hunt to live up to that title. JJJ first glared at us as if I had called him out of his name and then repeated in a major cow of a huff, “These rappers better get themselves together and organize themselves.” Now his words had a basic ring of truth to them, AND the problem was that JJJ didn’t include ALL of hip-hop in his angry advice, nor did he provide specific guidance to us on closing ranks to provide for our common defense. On our end in Chicago, we expedited things and made both Moseley-Braun and Tucker back off with the warning shot of promising to expose some very potentially damaging details of proto-MeToo moments concerning violations against campaign workers by Moseley-Braun’s then South Africa-originating fiancé. Also consider that today’s hip-hop artists, etc., who put themselves out there as queenmakers and kingmakers aren’t particularly aloof from status quo establishment politics that get in the way of progressive change. To wit, Consider that Chance the Rapper’s endorsements for both the nonpartisan municipal election and run-off got kicked to the curb in the polls. Compare with Rhymefest’s endorsee in the run-off election, who won an unprecedented landslide victory of carrying all 50 Chicago wards, which Harold could not achieve in his lifetime. Ergo, like Maya Angelou for blacks and other disaffected groups, they are more political philosophers and less political strategist for hip-hop. *The U.S. Constitution, via the First Amendment, in prohibiting Congress from abridging freedom of speech, infringing on freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble and from interfering with the right to petition representatives in government for redress of grievances, implies that we the People have the clear right and responsibility to assure that our public servants our accountable to us. That collective freedom is underscored in Early American state papers with references to the concept that those who govern us may only do so with consent of those of us they govern. The Illinois Bill of Rights, Art. 1, spells that right and obligation out in Sec. 23, the Fundamental Principles clause. SUCCINCT MORAL: Our public servants—elected, appointed and hired—shall only suit hip-hop’s purposes and needs when actively compel them to do so. So as Jeanette Beatrice Taylor-Azeez, alderwoman-elected of the rehabilitating 20th Ward says, it’s not enough for us to be in spirit in the Chicago City Council Chamber, the Fifth Floor and other influential portions of Chicago City Hall AND the Cook County Bldg. to boot. We MUST physically be all over than civic complex to Ida B. Wells-Barnett agitate, Agitate, AGITATE, like we did for Phase 1 of New Council, i.e. getting Lori Lightfoot and a true progressive aldermanic caucus elected to City Council. In stubborn pursuit of power of, by and for the People, I continue to be my late father’s son, Mark F. Armstrong, Team Leader CHICAGO URBAN FINE ARTS COMMONWEALTH
Great history!!!
FYI
Where can we see official photos of the 2017 House Tour?
Someone mentioned there being a couple of menus from the Hotel Florence from the 1920s? I'd like to create a recipe book of vintage recipes from early Pullman and these would come in handy! TIA!