RANGER TREK’S GUIDE TO THE PULLMAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

The Pullman National Historical Park preserves the historic district which in the 19th century was the first model, planned industrial community in the United States.

Junior Ranger Programs offered at this park:

In 2022 the Pullman National Monument was redesignated as a National Historical Park. The park is in the process of revamping their Junior Ranger Program to reflect the new name. Until then, park visitors can still use the Pullman National Monument Junior Ranger Book.

This park also offers these other junior ranger programs:

• The park is currently developing a Senior Ranger Program. Until that is available, participants over age 10 may complete all the activities in the regular junior ranger book and receive the park junior ranger badge.
• The Night Sky Junior Ranger Program booklet and patch with the words, “Junior Ranger Night Explorer”.
• The Angler Junior Ranger Program booklet and wood badge with the words, “Junior Ranger Angler Explore Learn Protect NPS”.
• The B.A.R.K. Ranger Program. This program is for visitors and their dogs. To participate, call or email the park ahead of your visit and they will set up a B.A.R.K Ranger program just for you. Participants become a “BARK” Ambassador and earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger badge shaped dog tag with a paw print on it and the words, “Pullman National Monument Bark Ranger”.

3 ways to access this park’s junior ranger booklet:

1. The booklet is available in person at the Administration Clock Tower Building Visitor Center located at: 11001 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628
2. The park currently doesn’t have the ability to mail out large or oversized packages or envelopes so they aren’t able to mail out the regular junior ranger booklets. You can, however, request by phone or email (listed below), that they email you a pdf of the booklet to download and print at home. Or, download the booklet here:

3. The park is able to mail standard sized envelopes. So, they offer a Pullman Junior Ranger Explorer Sheet, printed front and back with activities that they can mail out. Email or call the park to request the Explorer Sheet. Let them know your mailing address and how many you need.

How to complete this program:

There is one booklet geared toward children between the ages of 5-12. Complete at least the same number of activities as your age. If you are over 10 years old, complete all the activities. You choose which activities to complete. Symbols on the top of each activity page signify the difficulty level for each activity.

Some of the activities could be completed without physically visiting the park, but the answers to many activities would be found in the park.

Information to help you complete the activities can be found in a few ways:

• Watching the 3 videos in the Visitor Center, about 10 minutes in total, isn’t a requirement but can provide information to help complete the activities.
• Attending a Ranger led tour of the park. Also not a requirement, but helpful in gathering information to complete the activities.
• Information on the self guided walking/driving tour map.
• Interpretive signs around the park.
• Exhibits in the visitor center.
• Information on the park website and in the park brochure/Unigrid.
• Talking to Park Rangers.

3 ways to turn in your completed junior ranger booklet:

1. Completed booklets may be turned in, in person at the Administration Clock Tower Building Visitor Center located at: 11001 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628
2. If you completed the regular junior ranger booklet or the Pullman Junior Ranger Explorer Sheet remotely, or you didn’t complete the book while at the park, or you weren’t able to turn it in while the Visitor Center was open, you may submit it by email. Send an email to pull_visitorinfo@nps.gov with pictures of your completed book and a mailing address. The park will then send you a patch and sticker but they are not able to mail the badges because they are too bulky.
3. Or, if you would like a Ranger to sign your certificate you may submit the Pullman Junior Ranger Explorer Sheet by mailing it to the park at: 11001 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628. The Park Ranger will sign and date the certificate on the Explorer Sheet and mail it back to you along with a patch and sticker. Don’t forget to include a mailing address. Please don’t mail the regular park junior ranger booklet to the park as they don’t have the ability to mail it back to you.

Estimated time to complete:

While the booklet can be completed in about 30 – 60 minutes on average, Park Rangers recommend planning a half day to explore everything the park has to offer.

What you earn:

• A Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Park Ranger, Pullman National Monument” in plastic or wood. They will order new badges with the new name, Pullman National Historical Park, once the old ones are gone & will likely only order wood badges.
• 1 of 3 Junior Ranger Patches.
  • A red patch with the words, “Pullman National Monument Junior Ranger Grades 1-3”,
  • a yellow patch with the words, “Pullman National Monument Junior Ranger Grades 4-6”,
  • or a green patch with the words, “Pullman National Monument Junior Ranger Grades 7-12”
• A sticker with the words, “Junior Park Ranger Pullman National Monument”
• An official Junior Ranger Certificate which is on the back cover of the Junior Ranger Book.

Monetary costs:

It does not cost anything to participate in this junior ranger program. The booklet, badge, patch and sticker are all free of charge.

important to know about this park:

• This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required and parking is free.
• Daily tours are free and offered at 2 pm starting at the Visitor Center. Check with the park to see if additional tour times have been added.
• Tours are outdoors, lasting approximately 45 minutes, and limited to 25 people per tour. They don’t usually have more than 25 people but if you want to be sure to have a spot on a particular tour you may call the park and reserve a spot.
• Tours are subject to cancellation due to staffing, special events, inclement weather, or wind chill advisories.
• If you can’t make one of the tour times, there is a self guided walking / driving tour map. Pick it up in the visitor center. There is no audio for the self guided tour.
• The Historic Pullman Foundation, located within the park, in the Exhibit Hall at 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave. is open Thursday through Sunday. They offer artifacts, exhibits, a 17 minute film and tours. Their website is www.pullmanil.org
• Leashed animals are permitted on the grounds but not in park buildings. Service animals are permitted in park buildings, but must be leashed. Pet owners are responsible for picking up after their pet.

Park Details

Other nearby Parks, Junior ranger Programs and attractions:

• Indiana Dunes National Park is approximately 40 miles to the East of the park and also offers a junior ranger program.
• The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is located on the North side of the park. This museum is dedicated to the inspiring history of Black labor in the United States.
• Downtown Chicago offers a wide variety of attractions.
• Baseball fans can catch a Chicago White Sox game close by at Guaranteed Rate Field.
• Chicago is home to many of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s original sites, including his own home and studio. Some of these sites are open for tours.

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