It's summer in Pullman as visitors enjoy the national park / PHOTO: site design

From the Executive Director



As I write this on May Day, I'm sitting with something that never gets old–the reminder that this fight, the one that continues to change the lives of working people across this country, lives here in Pullman.

This past month I watched that history come alive again and again. I watched over 250 middle and high schoolers from across Chicagoland walk the streets and learn of the stories of Pullman employees–many for the first time. I watched Treasurer Michael Frerichs and the Amalgamated Transit Union stand in spaces where American labor history was made and feel the weight of it. I watched French and Italian unionists–people who have carried this struggle in their own countries–come to Pullman to discover its roots.

Every single time, I am moved and reminded of the power of our work.

Pullman is more than a collection of beautiful brick buildings; it is a monument to the complex, often turbulent evolution of the American dream. It stands as a physical reminder of the era when the struggle for fair wages and dignity first transformed from a local dispute into a national conversation, eventually helping to secure the protections we often take for granted today.

This history does not preserve itself. It takes resources, it takes commitment, and it takes people who believe it matters.

As the official philanthropic partner of Pullman National Historical Park, your support makes this work possible. The next chapter of Pullman’s story is being written by all of us who continue to preserve, protect, and amplify Pullman's cultural heritage.

Thank you for being part of this story.



With much gratitude,

Peggy Parfenoff





P.S. See the park through Illinois Treasurer Frerichs' eyes–watch the video he made about his visit to Pullman here.

Kids enjoy hands-on learning and fun at Pullman Railroad Days / PHOTO: Friends of Pullman

The Pullman Alley Tour shows us that history lives in unusual places / PHOTO: Friends of Pullman

Exhibit Hall needs curious volunteers who can engage Pullman's many visitors / PHOTO: Friends of Pullman

More than a starting point

Volunteer at Exhibit Hall this summer

For many visitors—especially those traveling to Pullman as a destination—the Exhibit Hall is more than a stop on the map. It’s the gateway to understanding the place itself, where questions, curiosity, and expectations shaped by Pullman’s national significance begin to connect to the lived reality of the neighborhood.

Inside, visitors encounter artifacts, images, and interpretive materials that frame Pullman’s role in American history. Just as importantly, it’s where conversations happen: between locals and visitors from across the country, between longtime supporters and first‑time guests, and between people bringing their own experiences to Pullman’s story. These interactions are central to what makes Pullman welcoming and alive.

As we head into our busiest season, Friends of Pullman is looking to expand our community of volunteers to help staff the Exhibit Hall. You don’t need to be a historian—just curious, friendly, and willing to engage. By volunteering, you help visitors understand not just what Pullman was, but why it still matters.

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.