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Welcome to the Pullman Virtual Museum!
Upcoming Events in Pullman

PULLMAN STATE HISTORIC SITE SPECIAL EVENTS/ EXHIBITS FOR 2008

All events are held at the Hotel Florence unless otherwise noted. Hotel first floor is open for self-guided tours during all events (unless prohibited by restoration work). Contact person is Linda Bullen at sleepingcars@sbcglobal.net.

 

January 20  "Chicago World's Fairs History Hour" 
 Lecturer: Historian Andreas Morgen. Mr. Morgen's extensive collection of 1893 and 1933 World's Fairs will be highlighted with stories. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Historic Pullman Garden Club. Refreshments served. Free 
February 2  "Every Day A Struggle: African Americans and the Pullman Experience 1900 to 1930" 
 Exhibit Opening February 2 for Black History Month - exhibit ongoing. Using newspaper articles and images, snapshots of the Black experience in the early years of the 20th century. Open Mon. - Fri 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free 
February 10  "The Story of the Underground Railroad" 
 Lecturer: Author Glenette Tiley Turner Author Turner will talk about her experiences in researching the Underground Railroad and her books. A Black History Month event, sponsored by the Pullman Civic Organization. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Refreshments served. Free 
February 24  "Basic Pruning Techniques" 
Lecturer: Carol Belshaw. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. All you ever wanted to know about pruning trees, shrubs, and more. Sponsored by Historic Pullman Garden Club. Refreshments served. Free 
March 30  "Seed Starting Basics" 
 Lecturer: Aggie Nehmzow, "The Tomato Lady". Learn about growing plants from seeds and all about heirloom tomatoes. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by Historic Pullman Garden Club. Refreshments served. Free
April 12  Book Party and Signing with Poet Myronn Hardy 
 Co-sponsored by the Bronzeville/Black Chicagoan Historical Society Come and hear excerpts from his latest book, The Headless Saints, stay for the food, music and dance! 7:00 p.m. Free
June 14 "Small Space, Big Impact! The Beautiful Gardens of Pullman" 
 An exhibit of photographs highlighting gardens from past Garden Walks in the Pullman neighborhoods, featuring pond gardens, kitchen gardens, container gardens and more. Open for Garden Walk Saturday June 14 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. only, then Mon.-Fri. 10 to 4. Free.
June 14  Historic Pullman Garden Walk. 
 Gardens in the Historic Pullman neighborhood will provide a look at how to make the most of small garden spaces. Special demonstrations using garden grown ingredients will be given by a guest chef on the lawn of the Hotel Florence. Sponsored by the Historic Pullman Garden Club. Lunch and crafts for sale. 10:00 to 4:00 (Last tickets at 3:00) Tickets: $12.00 in advance. 
August TBA  NEW EVENT! Pullman Antique Roadshow 
Bring a family heirloom or favorite collectible and learn its value from a professional appraiser. Date, time and ticket price will be announced soon. Watch for more information! 
September 1  Annual Labor Day Bike Ride 
Sponsored by the Pullman Civic Organization, this event begins and ends at the Hotel Florence. Limit 50 riders. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Ride begins at 9:00 a.m. & 9:20 a.m. Ride highlights places of Labor interest on the southeast side of Chicago/nearby Indiana. Helmets required. $15.00 donation includes lunch. For General Information: www.pullmanlaborride.com 
September 14  Annual Victorian Tea at the Hotel Florence. 
English teatime event with homemade sweets and treats. Special guest (TBA) will provide entertainment. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Historic Pullman Garden Club. Tickets: $15.00 in advance. 
October 5  NEW EVENT! "Blessing of Our Companion Animals" 
This event will take place on the grounds of the Pullman State Historic Site and will include a parade, special blessings of the animals, informational booths and more! Times and more details to be announced. 
October 11 & 12  Historic Pullman House Tour Weekend. 
Tour houses in Pullman Historic District, Hotel Florence, Pullman Factory Site, Pullman Visitors Center. Refreshments for sale, entertainment. 11:00 to 5:00. Sponsored by the Pullman Civic Organization and the Historic Pullman Foundation. Tickets: $15.00 in advance. Contact 773-785-8901 for information/tickets. 
October 25  Dia de los Muertos Workshop 
Join us for this afternoon workshop and learn how to create papier mache skeletons and other Day of the Dead symbols! Sign up to create an altar with your creations or just learn for fun! Supplies are provided and the workshops are free. Donations are welcomed. If you would like to create an altar for our 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, please sign up or call 773-660-2341 and instructions will be provided. 1 to 4 p.m. 
November 1  
(thru November 29) 		 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Join us Saturday, Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) for our opening celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Day of the Dead celebration commemorates the memories and lives of family and friends through the creation of altars in their honor. This colorful exhibit will showcase the work of local residents from Pullman and surrounding communities. Music and food are an important part of this holiday so be sure to join us on Opening Day! Free. Open Mon. - Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Saturdays thru Nov. 29 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Past  Public Events  2007

Solon S. Beman: Architecture in Illinois Exhibit August 12 -- May 31, 2007

Contemporary and Archival Photographs by Paul Petraitis with archival images and materials from 
collections at the Pullman State Historic Site.

For more information: 773-660-2341 or sleepingcars at sbcglobal.net

Sweet Home February 2007

The Significance of the Kitchen Shaped by African American Family Life

An exhibit of the Bronzeville Historical Society at the Pullman State Historic Site.

Monday -- Friday, 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m. through February.

Opening celebration, February 3rd, 10:00 a.m. With special guest speaker Sam Greenlee.

Biscuit making demonstration, February 18th at 11:30 a.m. featuring Chef Joseph Thornton. Please call ahead for reservations at 773-660-2341.

SCRUB BOARDS, ROLLING PINS, MIXING BOWLS, STRAIGHTENING COMBS...

By examining material objects collected from African Americans in Chicago, we can better understand the daily life of all Americans.

Many objects have practical purposes and social meanings. For example, upper class Americans and black Chicagoans asserted their status with costly household items and clothing. People with limited finances selected objects based more on their function and cost. Objects for drinking, dining, leisure, and personal care changed as customs and attitudes evolved. These material items provide insight into family, social, and economic life of all cultures in Chicago during the 1950's to 1960's.

Objects function as portholes into the past. They allow us to see larger cultural networks and systems of human relationships. Material culture fills the economic and aesthetic gap left by oral histories and written records. Envisioning those objects donated to and collected by the Bronzeville Historical Society as relics of a time gone by, we can draw conclusions about life in the 1950's to 1960's in Chicago. This exhibit will peer into Chicago's urban domestic landscape and examine:

  • Family, Social and Religious Life
  • Kitchens and Cooking
  • Laundry Practices
  • Hygiene and Personal Care
  • Market Days
  • Symbolism and Consumerism
For most of us, the family kitchen was much more than where we ate our meals. Family life was centered there. It was where we learned from our mothers and grandmothers, where we did our homework, where we watched our parents interact, where we socialized with friends and family, and where traditions were passed on. This was true across cultural lines so we hope all will relate to our "Sweet Home" kitchen and relive favorite moments and memories of our own past.

WELCOME HOME!

For more information, call us at 773-660-2341 or sleepingcars at sbcglobal.net