Visitors head out to explore Pullman as the weather warms up / PHOTO: Friends of Pullman.

Profile of a Volunteer

Pullman has its multi-generational families, but its charms quickly enwrap a new neighbor. So much so that in five short years, she became a Friends of Pullman volunteer!

A registered nurse, Sue Moss, moved to Pullman in 2020 from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and quickly fell in love with her new home and the rich neighborhood history. Sue is now a regular Pullman tour guide and assists at the Friends Exhibit Hall.

“It gives me a sense of pride and purpose, and it’s really fun.”

Leaving Oshkosh for Chicago and looking for a new home, a friend recommended Pullman and for Sue and her daughter, the smaller home was “right sized.” Sue has flexible work shifts at University of Illinois Hospital, which leaves her time for involvement and volunteering. 

By following experienced guides, she learned how to do a tour and was soon leading them. 

She has led tours for primary school children, adults, and foreign visitors, including a delegation from the Netherlands. Children especially ask questions, which leads to more research and learning. She loves guiding school groups because they touch the brick walls, marvel at the gardens, and spot architectural features. 

“One day, the realization hit me, ‘I live in a National Park,’” she said.

The Friends of Pullman National Historical Park is fortunate to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer as Sue Moss! We hope you’ll consider joining Sue and our other great volunteers and share your love for Pullman too. With the tourist season nearly here, Friends of Pullman needs you at Exhibit Hall or to assist at an event, or even train to be a tour guide.



Horse-drawn wagons making beer deliveries were a common site in Pullman / PHOTO: Illinois Digital Archives

Save the date

Railroad Days 2026

This year we’re celebrating an electric centennial and the Pullman Company’s role in changing Chicago’s commuter rail. In 1926, the Illinois Central Railroad pioneered rail service from downtown to the south side via electric cars, launching a new era of cleaner, quieter trains that transformed Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Join us as we mark 100 years of innovation and explore how electricity reshaped rail travel, industrial design, and infrastructure. And experience how the Pullman Company and the people who lived and worked in what is now Pullman National Historical Park were part of this method of travel.

Enjoy hands-on learning, touring historic railcars, and a family-friendly atmosphere at Railroad Days, July 25-26 at Pullman National Historical Park.

Your support helps bring Pullman to life for current & future generations / PHOTO: Friends of Pullman

Support Pullman

Be a Friend of the national park

If you're reading this, you already know why this place matters. You may have walked through the streets, heard the stories, lived in or around the neighborhood, or felt something shift when you learned what happened here — the innovation, the organizing, the resilience. Pullman changed the country, and it's still here because of volunteers, donors, and supporters like you.

As the official philanthropic partner of Pullman National Historical Park, our work ensures this place gets the support it needs for programs, historical preservation, and for the next generation of people who have yet to discover Pullman.

In April, we are looking to strengthen our friendships with all of you who care about Pullman National Historical Park and the stories it tells. Maybe you’re joining us for the first time, gifting a Friendship, or introducing a friend to Pullman. We hope to see you this spring, enjoying, learning, and getting involved in our favorite national park.

As the official friends group for Pullman National Historical Park,

our mission is to preserve and protect its cultural heritage and amplify its uniquely American stories for current and future generations.