get involved in CELEBRATing CHICAGO'S RAILROAD HISTORY
We are at the beginning of a multiple year effort to celebrate Chicago's railroad history with the eventual goal of a gala celebratory year in 2023, the 175th Anniversary of the first ceremonial train to leave Chicago. We will focus on developing partnerships with museums, historical societies, libraries, schools and neighborhoods to help develop community based programs with an emphasis on community participation. We will have one large city-wide event each year developed as a result of public interest and input. We will be reaching out to civic officials to indicate our interest in going forward from 2018. We will be reaching out to the various railroads that operate in Chicago to develop ideas that will highlight the importance of railroads to Chicago's future.
become a volunteerThe only way we will successfully sustain the annual celebration is through the efforts of volunteers and organizations willing to plan community programs. We can provide speakers who can give presentations on railroad history. We encourage neighborhood historical societies to mount exhibits and programs at local library branches. Have a presenter from Operation Lifesaver come to your school or community group and learn about railroad safety. We will eventually be recruiting volunteers for larger programs if and when they develop. Do you have someone in your family who works or has worked for the railroad. Record their stories, or perhaps you have a remembrance of a train trip or your first glimpse of a locomotive. We will be collecting these stories as time goes on with the purpose of placing them in a permanent archive. |
Visit a museum or historic siteThere are a number of operating railroad museums, like the Illinois Railway Museum and the Fox River Valley Trolley Museum where you can see and ride historic train and trolleys. Visit the Chicago History Museum to see the Pioneer locomotive and the first electrically powered L car. A trip to the Museum of Science and Industry will reveal the streamlined Zephyr and a great Chicago themed model railroad. Visit the Pullman neighborhood and learn about the model factory town built by George Pullman, that played a dark role in labor history. While you're there visit the Pullman Porter's Museum and learn about their role in movement that would eventually lead to civil rights. Visit Union Station, the last remaining grand terminal in Chicago and home to Metra and Amtrak. |
get out and ride a trainChicago has one of the best rail transportation systems in the county. Metra provides commuter rail services while the Chicago Transit Authority operates the city's historic "L" system. Both systems play a vital role in the everyday movement of people around the city and suburbs. Become a transit advocate and learn more about the day-to-day operations of our mass transit network. |
We are open to your ideas and suggestions. Please email us at [email protected]
What is our goalAn Annual Celebration
On November of every year we will introduce new programs for public outreach and education on the history of Chicago's railroads, and their continued importance in the city's economic life.
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The grand celebrationThe 175th Anniversary in 2023
In 1948 the Chicago Railroad Fair celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the first official run of the Pioneer. Our goal is to create a year long celebration of public events and exhibitions that will commemorate that history and the future of railroading in Chicago.
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how can you helpPublic and Private Partnerships
We seek the public's input for ideas on how to best celebrate our railroad heritage. We are also interested in working in partnership with museums, historical societies, schools, libraries and civic groups. Our goal is to create programs and exhibitions that best tell the stories of the many aspects of the railroad industry, both from a historic and contemporary viewpoint.
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