A Visit to Pullman, Illinois: Pullman Museum and CGS Walking Tour

Founded as a self-contained city by George Pullman where he hoped to house a stable well controlled working society to manufacture his family Pullman Sleeping Cars for the railroads.  Between 1880 and 1885, he built his city on a vast area of land just to the north of Lake Calumet with the centerpiece of the community being the Florence Hotel located at 111^th and Cottage Grove.

A visit to this historically important national site will begin with a visit to the National Park Service welcome center and museum. This relatively new museum is located in a rebuilt Pullman Company headquarters building. A ranger will give us a tour of the museum.

After the museum tour, CGS’ Craig Pfannkuche, will lead a walking tour through the residential district. A variety of stories will be told about life in Pullman and the demise of Pullman’s dream by the guide.

Registered attendees will meet at the National Park Service Pullman Visitor Center in the Administration-Clock Tower Building, 11011 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, at 10:00am. Free parking is available in the building parking lot. Enter off the north side of 111^th street east of Cottage Grove just past the old Pullman employee gate. Public restrooms are available in the welcome center.

This is a CGS member event with limited guest spots.  

Photo from the Library of Congress - Pullman Residence 1890-1901

Registration is required via the Chicago Genealogical Society website under Events. Registration will close 1 day prior to the event.