The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is a 501(c) 3 cultural institution. Our mission is to promote, honor and celebrate the legacy of A. Philip Randolph and contributions made by African-Americans to America's labor movement; with a significant focus on the African American Railroad Employee. At our facility this celebration begins with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, as we educate the public about their historic legacy and contributions.
The museum exists for the purpose of providing educational and cultural enrichment for all of mankind. All activities, past, present and future, are for the purposes and objectives that are inextricably intertwined - the study, preservation, interpretation, and enjoyment of African-American history and culture. The permanent collection displays exhibits which are pertinent to the study of American Labor History with a specific focus on the African- American contribution to America's labor history and includes but is not limited to: the Pullman Company, as it relates to African American Railroad employee labor history, A. Philip Randolph, the Pullman Porters, the Great Migration, and the American Civil Rights Movement.
The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum was founded in 1995 by Dr. Lyn Hughes. The facility is located in the Historic Pullman District in Chicago Illinois. The facility is named after men who made history - Asa Philip Randolph and Pullman Porters, the men who made up the membership of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) union. Randolph was the chief organizer and co-founder of the BSCP, the first African-American labor union in the country to win a collective bargaining agreement. Under Randolph's leadership, the Pullman Porters fought a valiant battle for employment equality with the corporate giant, the Pullman Rail Car Company.
Their pioneering efforts created the first bona fide union for the African American worker. This victorious struggle in America’s early labor movement was also the doorway through which many civil rights gains were made.
The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is locally recognized as a historic site and is a unique addition to the tourism sites of the Pullman community of Chicago, Illinois. The Museum is also nationally recognized as a valuable and unique African-American museum. The Randolph Pullman Porter museum pays tribute to one of the most influential African-American leaders in history. A. Philip Randolph redefined American labor, American democracy, and American society, during a time when it was unsafe and unpopular. Randolph demanded that African-American people be fully and equally included in American society. A. Philip Randolph was an articulate, intelligent, and fair leader who devoted decades of his life to his vision of a more moral and civilized American society. A Philip Randolph was a great man, a great humanitarian, and a great American.
How You Can Support Us
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Nation’s First Black Union
This year we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the nations first Black Labor Union. After 12 years of struggle and negotiation, on August 25, 1937, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), led by A. Philip Randolph, became the nation's first union formed by black employees for black employees. Randolph led the BSCP to become the first black labor union chartered under the American Federation of Labor (AFL). and the first to win a collective bargaining agreement with a major US corporation the Pullman company. We invite you to join the celebration with a gift of $75 or more.
Become a member of the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum today!
(104th Street between Corliss and Maryland)
10406 S. Maryland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60628
(view map for directions)
P.O. Box 6276
Chicago, IL 60680-6276
Phone: (773) 850-8580
General Admission: $5.00
Open Seasonally April - Dec 1
Hours of Operation:
Thursday thru Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Special Event Bookings Available
Group Tours Available. Click here to reserve your group now.
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