Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago, Illinois

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Chicago, Illinois · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Historic rail site

Pullman National Historical Park protects the neighborhood the Pullman Company built for its railcar workers, one of the first planned industrial communities in the United States and the scene of the 1894 Pullman strike.

  • Designated February 19, 2015
  • First NPS unit in Chicago
  • Planned industrial company town
  • Site of the 1894 Pullman strike
  • Junior Ranger program

Pullman National Historical Park at a glance

Hours
Not posted here; check nps.gov/pull or call (773) 928-7257
Admission
Check nps.gov/pull for fees; the Exhibit Hall film is free
Plan for
About 2 to 3 hours
Best for
History lovers and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Ages 6 and up
Parking
The Exhibit Hall is described as having easy parking
Accessibility
Park brochures come in printed, braille and audio-described versions.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Pullman National Historical Park? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Chicago.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

The company town behind America's sleeping cars

Pullman began as a company town for the Pullman Company, the railcar maker whose name became shorthand for comfortable rail travel. The National Park Service describes it as a planned industrial community famed for its urban design and architecture, and one of the first of its kind in the United States. People of many backgrounds came here seeking opportunity; some succeeded, and others were held back by race, gender or economic status. The neighborhood was also the scene of the tumultuous Pullman strike of 1894.

President Barack Obama designated the site Pullman National Monument on February 19, 2015, making it the first National Park Service unit in Chicago. Later legislation redesignated it a National Historical Park. The park service works with long-established local partners, including the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Friends of Pullman and neighborhood museums, to provide programs while broader visitor services continue to develop.

A visitor center, a historic hotel and a porters' museum

Begin at the National Park Service Pullman Visitor Center, where rangers and volunteers answer questions and suggest a route. From there you can explore the former industrial grounds of the Pullman State Historic Site, including Hotel Florence. The Pullman Exhibit Hall, run by the Friends of Pullman, shows a free 18-minute film of historic photographs and quotes, and the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum tells the story of the porters who worked aboard Pullman cars. The Pullman House Project opens several period-decorated homes to visitors.

Don’t miss

  1. Pullman Visitor CenterThe starting point for every visit, with park staff and volunteers on hand.
  2. Hotel FlorencePart of the former industrial grounds of the Pullman State Historic Site.
  3. Pullman Porter MuseumExhibits, tours and programs on the porters who served passengers on Pullman cars.
  4. The Exhibit Hall filmA free 18-minute introduction to the town's history, good for all ages.

Junior Rangers in a railcar town

The park runs a Junior Ranger program, so kids can earn a badge while learning about the town. The free 18-minute film at the Exhibit Hall works well as an introduction for children before walking the neighborhood. This is a history site rather than a place with trains to climb, so it suits school-age kids best.

Plan your visit: tips for Pullman National Historical Park

  • Start at the NPS Pullman Visitor Center for maps and suggestions.
  • Check the park's events and tours calendar before you go.
  • Ask about the Junior Ranger program for kids.
  • Voicemails get a reply within 24 hours; email can take 3 to 5 business days.

Rangers, volunteers and neighborhood partners

The National Park Service runs the park with rangers and volunteers, alongside long-standing partners such as the Friends of Pullman, the Pullman Porter Museum and the Pullman House Project. The park's website has a Get Involved page for volunteering and a page on how to support the park.

More Chicago rail history

The Museum of Science and Industry is about 11 miles north, and the Chicago History Museum is about 15 miles. For actual train rides, the Kankakee Railroad Museum is about 42 miles south. Find more in every train museum in Illinois.

Every train museum in Illinois

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Pullman is where so much of the comfort of train travel was built, by people whose names most riders never knew. When I wrote the page where Mr. Conductor, in his blue uniform, holds out a hand to help Rally aboard, I wanted that kindness to feel real. My mom always noticed the people who made a trip go well. Her story is on our our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Pullman National Historical Park?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Pullman National Historical Park: 20 visitor questions

Where is Pullman National Historical Park?

Pullman National Historical Park is in the Pullman neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. The park's mailing address is 610 E. 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60628, and its phone is (773) 928-7257. The park website has a directions page for reaching the visitor center and other sites.

Where is the Pullman National Historical Park visitor center?

Start your visit at the National Park Service Pullman Visitor Center, where park staff and volunteers answer questions and suggest how to spend your time. The park's How To Get Here page on nps.gov/pull gives directions to the visitor center. Call (773) 928-7257 if you need help finding it.

What are the Pullman National Historical Park hours?

The park lists its operating hours and seasons on nps.gov/pull rather than in a fixed public schedule here, and partner sites may keep their own hours. Check the Hours and Seasons page before you go, or call (773) 928-7257, which is answered during operating hours.

Do you need tickets for Pullman National Historical Park?

The park's website has pages for fees and passes and for reservations and timed entry, so check those before you visit for any current requirements. The Friends of Pullman Exhibit Hall offers a free 18-minute introductory film. Partner museums and special tours may set their own prices.

Where do you park at Pullman National Historical Park?

The Friends of Pullman describe their Exhibit Hall as having easy parking, which makes it a convenient first stop. For parking near the NPS visitor center and other sites, see the directions page on nps.gov/pull or call (773) 928-7257 before you go.

Are there tours at Pullman National Historical Park?

Yes. The park keeps an events and tours calendar for programs happening in the neighborhood, and the Pullman Exhibit Hall and the Pullman Porter Museum both offer exhibits, tours and interpretive programs. The park also welcomes groups through its Bring Your Group to Pullman page. Check the calendar for current dates.

What events are held at Pullman National Historical Park?

The park posts events and tours on its calendar page at nps.gov/pull, covering programs across the neighborhood with its partners. Since listings change through the year, check the calendar shortly before your visit or call (773) 928-7257 to ask what is coming up.

What is there to see at Pullman National Historical Park?

Highlights include the NPS visitor center, the former industrial grounds of the Pullman State Historic Site with Hotel Florence, the Pullman Exhibit Hall with its free film, the Pullman Porter Museum, and period homes opened by the Pullman House Project. The neighborhood itself, with its planned streets and architecture, is the main exhibit.

Why is Pullman a national park?

Pullman was one of the first model, planned industrial communities in the United States, built as a company town for the Pullman Company. It is known for its urban design and architecture and as the scene of the 1894 Pullman strike. The park also tells the stories of workers whose opportunities were limited by race, gender or economic status.

When did Pullman become a national park?

President Barack Obama designated Pullman National Monument on February 19, 2015, making it the first National Park Service unit in Chicago. Later legislation signed by the President redesignated it as Pullman National Historical Park. Visitor services are still being planned and developed with local partners.

What was the 1894 Pullman strike?

The Pullman strike of 1894 was a tumultuous labor dispute centered on the Pullman Company's town, and it is one of the main reasons the neighborhood is nationally significant. The park's Pullman History pages on nps.gov/pull and exhibits in the neighborhood explain the strike and its legacy.

What is the Pullman Porter Museum?

The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is one of the partner sites within the park, offering exhibits, tours and interpretive programs. It focuses on the Pullman porters who worked aboard the company's railcars. Check with the museum or the park calendar for its current hours and tour times.

Is there a Junior Ranger program at Pullman National Historical Park?

Yes. The park offers a Junior Ranger program for kids, part of its Kids and Youth section online. Ask at the visitor center how to get started, and plan time for children to complete the activities as you explore. It is a good way to keep school-age kids engaged in the history.

Is there a passport stamp at Pullman National Historical Park?

The park does not post details about its passport cancellation stamp on the pages summarized here. Ask the rangers or volunteers at the NPS Pullman Visitor Center, which is the natural place to look for one, or call (773) 928-7257 before you go.

Is there a map of Pullman National Historical Park?

Yes. The park offers its official unigrid brochure, which includes a map, in printed, braille and audio-described versions. Pick one up at the visitor center or find it on the park's brochure page. The Places to Go page also lists the historic sites around the neighborhood.

Is Pullman National Historical Park accessible?

The park has an accessibility page describing its features and services, and its brochure is available in printed, braille and audio-described formats. Because partner sites and historic homes vary, call (773) 928-7257 to ask about specific buildings before your visit.

Is Pullman National Historical Park good for kids?

It works best for school-age children who enjoy stories and history. The Junior Ranger program gives kids a goal, and the free 18-minute film at the Exhibit Hall is a gentle introduction for all ages. There are no train rides here, so pair it with a rail museum if your child wants trains.

Can groups visit Pullman National Historical Park?

Yes. The park invites groups to plan a visit through its Bring Your Group to Pullman page on nps.gov/pull. Contact the park at (773) 928-7257 to discuss dates and programs. Voicemails are returned within 24 hours, and emails are answered within three to five business days.

Is Pullman National Historical Park near Pullman, Washington?

No. Pullman National Historical Park is in Chicago, Illinois, in the Pullman neighborhood near East 111th Street. Pullman, Washington is a different place entirely. If you are near Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry is about 11 miles north of the park.

How can I work or volunteer at Pullman National Historical Park?

The park's Get Involved section on nps.gov/pull covers volunteering and ways to support the park, and volunteers help staff the visitor center. For employment, the park does not list openings on its own pages here, so contact the park at (773) 928-7257 to ask where National Park Service jobs are posted.

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