Video | Pullman and the Railroad Rebellion | Chicago Stories

In 1864, the powerful industrialist and engineer George Pullman brought luxury to train travel with his revolutionary sleeping cars, where passengers were served by an army of former slaves who became known as Pullman Porters and Maids. Pullman established a company town for employees that gave him complete authority over every aspect of their lives. Audio-narrated descriptions are available.

Black workers were hired to be porters and maids for the Pullman company, and had to cater to passengers’ every whim. In doing so, they often encountered racism.

George Pullman created a company town for his employees, but it came at a cost for his workers, while benefitting Pullman’s bottom line.

The Pullman porters laid the seeds of civil rights activism through their labor struggle. A. Philip Randolph led the efforts to unionize.

Explore the ornate details, including the bedroom, bathroom, and dining room, of a private Pullman rail car that dates back to 1889.