Following the town's victory over industrial development in 1968, then-PCO President Mario Avignone established the Beman Committee for the Preservation of Historic Pullman in that same year. The purpose of the Committee’s efforts to preserve the historic and residential character of Pullman was so that the town would satisfy the needs of the day without destroying the heritage of the past or jeopardizing future opportunities. More specifically, attention focused on two objectives: enlisting the support of property owners and residents to preserve the exterior façades of historic dwellings through good maintenance and compatible remodeling; and marshaling the necessary resources to preserve and enhance the larger structures and spaces beyond the immediate control of the residents. The approach was to structure a program with clearly stated positive goals, realistic incremental steps, and maximum citizen participation. This approach was based on communication – honest, informed, and regular. 

 

In just the first few years of the Beman Committee, numerous milestones were achieved: parkways were replanted; improvements were made to Pullman Park; extensive archives were established; approximately 20 percent of the historic dwelling units underwent some form of remodeling that was in keeping with the original architecture; allowable mortgage payment periods were extended by up to six years; a remodeling program for the Greenstone Church was completed; a local restaurant adopted interior décor and a name to reflect the historic nature of Pullman; two local industries constructed new facilities; and people began moving into Pullman as buyers and renters who were interested in community values as much as they were in property values.

 

Over the years, the Beman Committee has remained active and crucial to residential life in Pullman, as well as being advocates for Pullman’s historic importance and architecture. In recent years, the Beman Committee has developed award-winning resources for homeowners, including the Façade Legacy Project, which documents and provides drawings for nearly all of the facades in the District; the Pullman Homeowner Guide, an invaluable resource for residents both new and old alike; and the Façade Reimbursement Program, a yearly matching reimbursement program to offset costs to property owners for historic restorations. The Committee continues to advise residents on best practices for maintaining the historic façades of their homes in accordance with City of Chicago requirements.

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