Juneteenth

The Legacy of the Railroad Oral History exhibit featuring retired Pullman Porter George Lewis, is on display at the Galveston Railroad Museum, Display Car, 2602 Santa Fe Place.

The last Pullman Porter, George Lewis, had a front row seat to the Civil Rights Movement growing up in a railroad family, and specifically, how it impacted the future careers of Pullman Porters. American labor unionist and civil rights activist, A. Philip Randolph was made aware of the long working hours and low wages of Pullman Porters who were hired to serve while passengers aboard its luxury railroad sleeping cars. As a result, Randolph helped organize the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation’s first successful African American led Labor union. It was the first Black union to be chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). A collective bargaining agreement and contract was signed with Pullman, which recognized the union and reduced porters’ monthly work hours and raised wages.

The Oral History Program, supported by the Dr. Leon Bromberg Charitable Trust Fund, tells the stories of extraordinary individuals who helped change history – culturally and socially. Their actions made a difference and paved the way for progress.

Lewis Began his career with the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was sold to Denver Rio Grande Railroad and then to Union Pacific . Amtrak acquired and retained the passenger service from Southern Pacific Railroad. George Lewis, like so many railroad employees, moved through the ranks prior to becoming a porter where he had the experience of meeting and serving a number of famous passengers, including President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush.

Retiring in 2017, Lewis said, “I would do it all again, yes, I would.”

The exhibit features an interview with George Lewis who shares his history with the railroad, experiences, what it meant to be a Pullman Porter and how it relates to history. as well as the movement to establish the first African American led labor union. The exhibit is comprised videos, uniforms, photos and artifacts from this important part of American history.