FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2025 — An iconic piece of Pullman history is being preserved by the Historic Pullman Foundation (HPF) for the benefit of Pullman National Historical Park & State Historic Site.  Through a generous gift from Robert Menzies, Chairman of the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railway, GLEN AYR, a 1928 all-steel Pullman heavyweight sleeping car with ties to Chicago has been acquired for eventual restoration and public display.

Built for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, GLEN AYR operated on the North Western Limited and provided travelers between Chicago and the Twin Cities the finest in Pullman accommodations. Sold in 1948 to the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, the sleeper was used on Florida trains during heavy winter demand. It eventually became the property of the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railway and has been stored in Jacksonville, FL.

“The GLEN AYR is the beginning of a railcar collection that will eventually anchor the Pullman visitor experience,” offered Maria P. Hibbs, president of the Historic Pullman Foundation. “Its preservation will help us deepen public understanding of the Pullman Company’s craftsmanship and its role in shaping the golden era of rail travel.”

A Priority for Preservation and Interpretation

The National Park Service(NPS) has identified the GLEN AYR as a priority railcar for interpretation, consistent with its mission to tell the story of American industry, labor, and innovation. The railcar will soon be moved from Jacksonville, Florida, to a secure facility in Silvis, Illinois, where it will be safely stored while plans for its full restoration and display move forward.

“The GLEN AYR exemplifies the artistry and engineering of the Pullman Company at its peak,” said Joseph C. Szabo, HPF president emeritus and former Federal Railroad Administration administrator. “Owning this car before it risks being lost to time is a milestone achievement for both HPF and our partners in the NPS and Illinois Department of Natural Resources(IDNR).”

Szabo leads the inter-agency Railcar Working Group, established by NPS and IDNR to identify and secure historically significant Pullman cars for inclusion in future interpretive exhibits.

Looking Ahead at Chicago’s national park

Restoration of the GLEN AYR and creation of an appropriate display infrastructure will take several years. However, with this acquisition, HPF and its partners are taking an essential step toward building a vibrant visitor experience that centers on the contributions of Pullman workers and the evolution of railroad travel.

“Each railcar we secure is a step closer to honoring the legacy of Pullman Porters, craftsmen, and passengers whose lives intersected in these rolling landmarks,” added Robert Montgomery, HPF Executive Director.

Significant support came from both CSX and RJ Corman, who assisted with logistics related to the transport of GLEN AYR. “Without their substantial help it would not have been possible for HPF to accept this gift,” said Szabo.  “Both CSX and RJ Corman went well above and beyond to make the move from Jacksonville to Silvis possible.” 

As the official philanthropic partner of Pullman National Historical Park, HPF depends on member and donor support to make projects like this a reality. Learn more at PullmanIL.org.

Help bring historic railcars to Pullman DONATE HERE

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Historic Pullman Foundation invites you to step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel during the Fourth Annual Pullman Railroad Days May 17–18 at Pullman National Historical Park. A beloved celebration of American railroad history, industrial innovation, and cultural legacy, the weekend promises two unforgettable days filled with captivating exhibits, neighborhood tours, family fun, and living history.

Presented in partnership with Metra and the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners (AAPRCO), the event features exclusive access to beautifully restored Pullman railcars on display at the 111th Street/Pullman Metra Electric Station. Two of the railcars featured at this year’s event are the 1928 “SuitsMe,” originally built for the president of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, and the 1953 “Promontory Point,” a long-distance sleeper turned executive business car.

Beyond the railcars, the park will be alive with activities for all ages. Hop aboard Little Obie, a replica train that will travel all around the national park. Or, visit the Model Train Extravaganza at Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall—featuring hundreds of feet of miniature track and vintage model trains, courtesy of Chicago’s top model railroad clubs. Guests can also ride a Pullman-era CTA bus around the historic community.

Walking tours will offer a closer look at Pullman’s rich legacy, including the popular Tragedy to Innovation Tour, the Illinois Labor History Tour, and the First Sunday Walking Tour of the historic district. Live entertainment, food from local favorites, an antique car show, and featured exhibits will round out the festival experience.

This year’s Pullman Railroad Days also marks a significant milestone: the 100th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation’s first Black labor union, founded in 1925. The legacy of this historic union—and its trailblazing leader, A. Philip Randolph—will befront and center. Exhibits and programs from partners including the DuSable Museum, Pullman Porter Museum, and Bronzeville Black Metropolis will tell the story of the porters’ fight for dignity, labor rights, and racial justice.

“This celebration brings together everything that makes Pullman unique—its powerful history, its beautiful railcars, and its inspiring stories of progress,” said Joe Szabo, HPF President Emeritus and this year’s Pullman Railroad Days Chairman. “There’s no better place to experience America’s stories in such a meaningful and dynamic way.”

Tickets are available now, with early-bird pricing of $25 ($22 for HPF members) through May 9. After that, regular admission will be $35 ($30 for members). Children under 12 are free, and new HPF memberships are 50% off during the event. To purchase tickets go to bit.ly/PullmanRRD, or visit pullmanil.org for more details.

Whether you’re a lifelong rail enthusiast, a history lover, or just looking for a great day of family fun, Pullman Railroad Days are a rare chance to experience Chicago’s only national park in full motion.

For more information or to schedule an interview with event leaders, please contact Bart Darress at 773-569-6499 or email bdarress@pullmanil.org.

November 25, 2024 – A vintage railcar built in 1899 by the Pullman Company is on track to come home to Pullman National Historical Park & State Historic Site.  Built for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (CRI&P), the wooden railcar entered service as CRI&P Parlor Car #699 in January 1900, providing first-class day service on the Rock Island Express operating daily between Chicago and Omaha. 

A Letter of Intent to Donate has been executed between the railcar’s owner, David Hoffman, and the Historic Pullman Foundation (HPF) and paves the way for the eventual transfer of ownership and the relocation of the railcar to the North Wing of the historic Pullman Factory, once funding has been secured for environmental remediation of the site.

Built during a pivotal era in American railroad history, the CRI&P #699 reflects Pullman’s prominence in luxury passenger-car manufacturing and the significant role railroads played in shaping the nation’s economy and culture. The railcar’s presence at the park will deepen visitors’ understanding of this important chapter in history. 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Dave Hoffman for the generous offer of this rare gem,” said Joseph C. Szabo, HPF board member and former head of the Federal Railroad Administration. “While the interior will need a full restoration, the frame and body are in remarkable shape for a railcar that is 125 years old.” 

Szabo has been tasked by the National Park Service (NPS) and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to lead a working group to bring historic railcars to the site for interpretation.  “While we still have much work to do, securing the rights to this car is a key milestone in our efforts,” he said.

David Hoffman, the railcar’s current owner, expressed his excitement for the partnership. “It’s the perfect home for the CRI&P #699. I’m thrilled to know it’ll be preserved and appreciated as part of the Pullman story and its contributions to American history,” he said.

“America’s stories live in Pullman, and through this classic Parlor Car, visitors will learn of the Industrial Revolution, the evolution of rail travel during the Gilded Age, and the on-board service provided by Pullman Porters,” said Maria P. Hibbs, president of the Historic Pullman Foundation.  “We are delighted to secure this artifact for the benefit of the National Park and State Historic Site.”

The partners will now focus on securing funds to prepare the North Wing of the factory site for display. Consistent with NPS and IDNR interpretive plans, the restoration work on CRI&P #699 is envisioned to be a living exhibit showcasing the craftsmanship of Pullman factory workers in the 1890s.

Help bring historic railcars to Pullman DONATE HERE

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AUGUST 15, 2024 – The Pullman Civic Organization(PCO) and Historic Pullman Foundation(HPF) are thrilled to host the 51st annual Historic Pullman House Tour, coming Saturday and Sunday, October 12th and 13th.

As one of the city’s longest running house tours, the prestigious event features an array of housing styles originally designed by famed architect Solon S. Bemen between 1880 and 1894. “From executive mansions to 14-foot-wide worker’s cottages, and multi-unit apartments, the homes present a wonderful cross-section of the Pullman living experience,” says co-chair Cindy McMahon. 

Visitors get an up-close look at six beautiful homes and iconic Pullman buildings located here in Chicago’s first national park. 

“House Tour weekend provides an amazing opportunity to explore one of America’s lesser-known stories and a consequential urban national park,” explains Pullman National Historical Park Superintendent Teri Gage. “There’s so much history, so many stories that people can connect to.”

In addition to the extraordinary homes, Historic Pullman House Tour offers a whole weekend of exciting exhibits, delicious food, entertainment and neighborhood attractions. Visitors will marvel at gorgeous landscapes and gardens, discover many of the local businesses and points of interest.

“One weekend each year, the residents open their homes to the public,” said co-chair Patrick Brannon. “It’s a remarkable peek into these century-old structures that homeowners work hard to restore, rejuvenate and make functional for our modern times.” 

The event raises money to help residents preserve these buildings and keep them historically accurate. “It costs a lot to replace a window, a door, or to fabricate 140-year-old shingles,” explains acting PCO President Melissa Campos. “Owning a Pullman home is truly a labor of love.”

Right now, advance tickets for the event are just $21 at PullmanHouseTour.com. With more and more people from all over Chicagoland, and even around the world coming to the historic community during House Tour, advance tickets are highly recommended.

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Get ready for a whole weekend of Historic Pullman railcars, amazing activities and exhibits, plus more family fun than ever before at Pullman Railroad Days coming June 1 and 2!

Contact: Bart Darress, Director of Communications & Membership

Email: bdarress@pullmanil.org

Phone: 773-569-6499

February 9, 2024 – Historic Pullman Foundation(HPF) is thrilled to host its third annual Pullman Railroad Days: People, Progress & Innovation, coming Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 to Pullman National Historical Park.

“America’s stories live in Pullman. And one essential story is Pullman’s rich heritage in rail transportation and how it transformed America,” said Pullman Railroad Days Chairman and HPF President Emeritus Joe Szabo. “That’s what our Railroad Days event is all about.”

In partnership with Metra and the American Association of Private Rail Car Owners(AAPRCO), visitors can tour three historic cars at the 111th Street/Pullman Metra Electric station throughout the weekend. Featured are the 1950 Pullman Sleeper-Observation Blue Ridge Club, the 1934 Sleeper-Lounge Dover Harbor, and the 1957 Art Deco beauty, Hollywood Beach. 

This is the first time these historic cars will be seen at the Pullman Railroad Days event.

“There’s nothing quite like Pullman Railroad Days and we couldn’t be more excited to host these incredible rail cars this year,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “For visitors, there’s no faster, easier way to come enjoy Pullman National Historical Park than the Metra Electric Line.”

People from all around Chicagoland and across the country will also experience an all-new exhibit exploring the Pullman strike of 1894 – this year marks the 130th anniversary of that seminal event. “Few moments in history have had such a tremendous impact on labor and workers rights as the railroad strike in Pullman,” offered local historian and exhibit curator Andy Bullen. “So much of what we enjoy today as working Americans, started right here.”

Also featured at Pullman Railroad Days are a wide array of engaging tours including guided tours of the Pullman factory grounds and an exclusive look at Hotel Florence. Norfolk-Southern will host a virtual reality experience that showcases the advanced technology that fuels America’s railroads. 

Park Rangers will offer interactive activities throughout the weekend. In addition, guests can explore a variety of promotional booths and tents; there’s food, entertainment and endless family-fun. Stay tuned to all the latest Pullman Railroad Days news at pullmanil.org or visit Facebook and Instagram.

“There’s no doubt that Pullman Railroad Days has become a signature event for Pullman fans and train enthusiasts everywhere,” offered Pullman National Historical Park Superintendent, Teri Gage. “What better way to learn about Pullman’s role in railroad history, climb aboard actual Pullman luxury cars, and explore Chicago’s first-ever national park!”

The weekend offers a mix of incredible activities with a single-ticket entry for featured events including access to the historic rail cars. 

Special early bird tickets go on-sale March 15 for just $22 – that’s over 40% off purchasing tickets at the event for $37.  Beginning April 15, advanced tickets are available for only $26 until May 29. Historic Pullman Foundation members save even more. 

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Historic Pullman Foundation is the official nonprofit Friends Group of Pullman National Historical Park. For over 50 years, we have created opportunities for all people to come experience and understand the continuing American story that is Pullman.