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The National Trust for Historic Preservation is working with the

National Parks Conservation Association, elected officials,

community organizations, and local residents to designate the

Pullman Historic District as a unit of the National Park System.

Historic Significance

George Pullman founded the nations first model industrial town

in 1880 to attract skilled workers to his railroad passenger car

factory. Designed by noted architect Solon S. Beman and

landscape architect Nathan Barrett, Pullmans 300 acres provided

a healthful and attractive environment for employees and their

families. However, the companys efforts to closely regulate

residents behavior quickly caused frustration. The situation came

to a head in 1894 when, in response to an economic downturn, the

company laid off workers and reduced wages without reducing

rents, leading to one of the most divisive labor strikes in American

Pullman Historic District, Chicago, IL

Co-sponsor H.R. 3929 and S. 1962 to establ ish thePullman National Historical Park

Key Facts

The Pullman factory grounds

and residential areas are a

National Historic Landmark and

a National Register Historic

District, providing a uniquelyintact example of a 19thcentury

master-planned industrial town.

The community of Pullman

played an outsized role in the

growth of industrialized

America and the advent of

workers rights, culminating in

the establishment of Labor Day

as a national holiday following

the turbulent PullmanStrike of1894.

This bipartisan legislation

would create the first unit of the

nearly 100-year-old National

Park System to be located in

Chicago.

The Pullman community

currently attracts between

35,000 and 50,000 visitors a

year. A recent report by the

National Parks ConservationAssociation estimates the

Pullman National Historical

Park will attract 300,000 annual

visitors within five to 10 years,

creating more than 350 annual

jobs and $40 million in

sustained annual economic

output.

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history. In addition, Pullman has a historic connection to the first all African-American union in the country

the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, organized by Asa Philip Randolphwhich negotiated a major labor

agreement with the Pullman Company in 1937 that increased wages and provided better working hours.

Opportunity

Thirteen miles south of downtown Chicago, the Pullman Historic District remains largely intact. Its collection

of architecturally unique homes, factory buildings, and landmark structures have been the focus of

revitalization efforts by the State of Illinois, City of Chicago and community groups and partner organizations

for many years. Designating Pullman as a unit of the National Park System would dramatically increase

awareness of this historic place among heritage travelers and encourage enhanced economic development

opportunities there. The Trust has joined a robust coalition advocating for designation of Pullman as a

National Park, including the National Parks Conservation Association, numerous civic, business and

community organizations, and elected officials at the local, state and federal level.

Legislation

On January 27, 2014, Representative Robin Kelly introduced the Pullman National Historical Park Act

(H.R. 3929), which would establish Pullman Historic District as a unit of the National Park System. The

National Trust strongly supports this bill, and the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 1962), introduced

by Senator Durbin and Senator Kirk of Illinois.

Partners

The National Trust joins the National Parks Conservation Association, Landmarks Illinois, Illinois Historic

Preservation Agency, Historic Pullman Foundation, Pullman Civic Organization, over 120 supportive

organizations across the country, and hundreds of Pullman residents in support of the Pullman National

Historical Park Act.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately-funded non-profit organization, works tosave Americas historic places.

For more information regarding this report visit, www.SavingPlaces.org/treasures/pullman-historic-district or contact:

Jennifer Sandy, Senior Field Officer

jsandy@savingplaces.org | 312.939.5547

Adam Jones, Associate Director for Government Relations and Policy

ajones@savingplaces.org | 202.588.6067