Pullman Porters: From Service to Civil Rights, is at the nexus of three central historical narratives: railroads in United States History, and the labor and civil rights movements of the 20th century. Using the latest digital technology as well as
the most current methods of museum exhibition, the exhibit, Museum staff have developed a compelling exhibit that tells the story of a group of men who worked America’s rail lines for nearly 100 years.
The exhibit features a restored 1920s 10-1-2, Pullman sleeper car, the Lake Mitchell, supported by interpretive elements in and around the car. Exhibit elements include a computer generated porter with interactive capabilities inside the car, original artifacts, touch screen computer kiosk offering curriculum relevant materials such as oral histories, and period music that illustrate the cultural, political and racial climate of the time.
View the Pullman Porters: From Service to Civil Rights video
Starting in 1909, Pullman porters tried unsuccessfully to organize a labor union. Their break finally came in 1925, when A. Philip Randolph helped form the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Randolph and the BSCP were met with strong opposition from the Pullman Company but ultimately succeeded in forming the first all-black labor union in 1937. Soon after winning the labor battle, Randolph and the porters shifted their attention to the struggle for civil rights, and remained at the forefront through the 1960s.
The story of the Pullman porters is quintessentially American, and it reminds us of the towering efforts of ordinary men and women who helped shape our nation’s history.
Sit in the cab of the world’s largest steam locomotive, the Union Pacific Big Boy. Examine Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s World War II command. Ponder the futuristic Aerotrain from 1950s.
As one of the oldest railroad museums in the country, the National Railroad Museum exhibits a large collection of locomotives and railcars spanning more than a century of railroading.
View the interactive slideshow of exhibits by clicking here!
That's right! Get a taste of what our museum has to offer by checking out our slideshow of exhibits. We'll take you on a quick photo tour of some of our hottest exhibits, including:
- The Bauer Drumheads
- The Big Boy
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- And much, much more!