Pullman House Tour

05/23/2026

On May 23, 1881, the 4th Duke of Sutherland toured the Town of Pullman alongside George Pullman, getting a firsthand look at one of the most advanced industrial communities of its time. Traveling by special train, the group explored the massive factory complex, from boiler rooms and carpenter shops to the impressive Corliss engine that drew the Duke’s full attention. They even rode platform cars through the works to see the newly opened brickyards in action. The visit wrapped up with a return trip to downtown Chicago, complete with champagne and sandwiches, marking a day that showcased Pullman’s innovation and global appeal.

The 4th Duke of Sutherland, Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, accompanied by George Pullman, embarked on a journey to the Town of Pullman on May 23, 1881. ...

05/12/2026

Throwback to 2019 when we hosted a powerful program about the historic Pullman Strike This pivotal moment in labor history still resonates today. Want to dive deeper into the story? Join us for one of our guided tours and walk the very streets where history was made!

This video was produced by the Friends of Pullman National Historical Park to promote a discussion with Debs Foundation’s Allison Duerk about the Pullman Str...

05/10/2026

Here’s a quick look back at a 2024 segment from ABC 7 Chicago highlighting new investment in Pullman. Crews broke ground on the South Side’s first Chick-fil-A as part of the Pullman Gateway development near Pullman National Historical Park. What was once an underused lot is now becoming a symbol of growth for Pullman and neighboring Roseland.

Community leaders and residents shared optimism about new jobs, more local options, and a continued push to bring investment across the entire neighborhood.

This is a ABC WLS news segment about how residents are hoping a new commercial center will help revitalize Chicago's Pullman neighborhood.On Thursday May 9, ...

05/02/2026

There’s a quiet turn in this house where the story rises.

This staircase, leading to the third floor of a worker’s cottage in Pullman National Historical Park, was built in 1881 by the same artisans who crafted Pullman train cars. The curve of the banister and the precision of the woodwork reflect the same skill they brought to rail travel.

In their own homes, they built with just as much care.

04/29/2026

Even for families as iconic as the Pullmans and the Lowdens, saying goodbye to a home isn’t easy.

As reported by Crain's Chicago Business on April 29, 2019, descendants of George M. Pullman and former Illinois governor Frank Lowden sold their 124-acre Sinnissippi Farm estate after more than 120 years in the family.

Held since 1899, the property carried generations of memories, making the decision to sell a bittersweet one. It’s a reminder that no matter the legacy, parting with a family home is never easy.

A piece of Illinois history tied to the Pullman family quietly changed hands after more than a century. As first reported by Crain's Chicago Business on Apri...

04/29/2026

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Pullman National Historical Park’s remarkable architecture stands as a powerful reminder of the ideals and ambitions that helped shape the American story. The community embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a unique architectural type. Its scale, visual continuity, compatible design features, and integrity of materials reflect a carefully conceived plan rooted in the concept of “total design.”

While elements of several architectural styles—including Richardsonian Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Neo-Classical—appear throughout the town, it is the seamless blending of these styles with overall form and function that sets Pullman National Historical Park apart. Preserved today as a national park site, the community reflects America’s ongoing journey—where innovation in architecture, industry, and labor history intersect as the nation marks 250 years.

Learn more on guided tours: https://pullmanhouseproject.eventbrite.com

04/28/2026

In the early 1900s, George Pullman Jr. became the center of a national scandal over his complicated relationships. His romantic life drew headlines and speculation, especially involving Felicite Oglesby, Lynne Fernald, Blanche Barrett Bowers, and Sarah Brazelle.

In 1900, he claimed to be married to Blanche Bowers, who lived on Prairie Avenue, but questions quickly arose. It was unclear whether he had legally divorced Lynne Fernald, and there were also doubts about whether Blanche had divorced her husband, Frederick Bowers. The situation fueled widespread controversy. Frederick Bowers officially divorced Blanche in 1903, while Pullman finalized his divorce from Fernald on September 27, 1901, but he never married Blanche.

In the early 1900s, George Pullman, Jr.'s relationship with Blanche Bowers caused a major public relations scandal with negative headlines popping up around ...

04/27/2026

to 1889! Pullman made headlines in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, one of the most popular pictorial publications of the 19th century! The engravings captured iconic scenes from what is now Pullman National Historical Park — including the flowing fountains before the grand Clocktower, a stately portrait of George Pullman, the towering watertower, classic Pullman train cars, the magnificent Arcade Building, and the elegant Hotel Florence. Frank Leslie's was known for its stunning, detailed engravings that helped bring stories to life before photography took over.

Book your guided tour: https://pullmanhouseproject.eventbrite.com

This is an illustration of Historic Pullman that appeared in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper on April 27, 1889. The publication was an American illustra...

04/24/2026

In 2016, this NBC news segment aired about micro-lending for small businesses. This city-run lending program in Chicago is celebrating a milestone: it has made 250 loans. Mayor Emanuel says he wanted to bring the idea to Chicago since he learned during the Clinton administration that the federal government was facilitating loans in underserved parts of the world. The announcement was made at the Pullman Cafe, which opened in October after receiving a $12,000 loan through the program.

This is a NBC news segment that ran on April 24, 2016 about micro-lending for small businesses. This city-run lending program in Chicago is celebrating a mil...

04/22/2026

Check out this Fox 32 Chicago segment from 2024 with reporter Anthony Ponce as he takes you inside the dining room of the Lisciotto House at Pullman National Historical Park!

Mike Shymanski shares why there’s a typewriter at the table—it was a key tool in the 1960s when community leaders launched a letter-writing campaign to stop a developer from demolishing the neighborhood. Americo Lisciotto was in touch with the Alderman, Congressman, and city agencies to fight for Pullman’s future.

The home has been beautifully recreated with 1960s décor—from plastic-covered furniture to a portable Last Rites Kit—offering a powerful glimpse into the life of a working-class Italian American family. Don’t miss this story of heritage, resistance, and pride.

Learn more about how Pullman residents saved the community from demolition in 1960 on our guided tours. https://pullmanhouseproject.eventbrite.com

The new exhibit house in Pullman will invite visitors through the former Lisciotto residence where they will discover the extraordinary efforts undertaken by...