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10 Union Sites to Check Out This Summer
Looking for cool places to travel this summer? Check out this list of union sites around the country! Take along a friend, gather up the family, or opt to go solo — this list of historical labor sites are sure to diversify your summer travel plans. Be sure to check out the Union Plus Travel and Entertainment benefits before you hit the road.
Check out this list of union sites around the country!
- Pullman National Monument Site — Chicago, IL
Chicago may be most well known for its blustery weather, but it's also home to a rich labor history as well. The Pullman National Monument Site highlights said history with a series of monuments, museums and other important landmarks — one of which was the scene of a violent strike in the 1890s.
Fun fact: The Pullman District was the first model, planned industrial community in the United States.
- Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park — Richmond, CA
It's no secret that Rosie is one of most recognizable faces of the labor movement. That said, while many people know the face, many do not know all of the history behind her. The Rosie the Riveter WWII National Historical Park aims to educate visitors on "her" significance and of the all of working women during WWII and beyond.
Fun fact: The Rosie the Riveter Trust (the nonprofit trust behind the Rosie the Riveter WWII Park) operates a free summer camp for at risk youth called Rosie's Girls. The camp is modeled "after women like Rosie" to help young women gain courage and confidence in their abilities.
- Haymarket Martyrs Memorial — Chicago, IL
On May 4, 1866, what began as a peaceful rally to protest unfair working conditions erupted into violence after a man threw a bomb at police, resulting in injuries and deaths among both protesting workers and police officers. This memorial commemorates the defendants involved in the labor unrest of that day; aptly coined the "Haymarket Massacre."
Fun fact: The monument was declared a national historic landmark on February 18, 1997.
- Mother Jones Monument — Union Miners' Cemetery, Mount Olive, IL
This 22-foot granite monument pays tribute to the achievements of Mother Jones, the woman who is credited with co-founding the Industrial Workers of the World labor union and coordinating several major strikes.
Fun fact: The Mother Jones monument is also her official burial site.
- Ludlow Monument — Ludlow, CO
Erected by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in 1918, the Ludlow monument pays homage to the victims of the Ludlow massacre, an event in which over 1,000 striking coal miners were attacked by the Colorado National guard and Colorado Fuel & Iron Company campguards.
Fun fact: The Victor American Hastings Mine Disaster Monument, another historical site highlighting labor history, is less than two miles away from the Ludlow monument.
- Amtrak Workers’ Memorial — Washington, DC
Memorial that honors those Amtrak employees who lost their lives in performance of their duties.
Fun fact: The Amtrak Workers' Memorial is located in Washington, DC's Union Station.
- Memphis Strike of 1968 Monument — Memphis, TN
This gallery expands the story of the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike. Features exhibits and videos highlighting Rev. James Lawson and T.O. Jones, who courageously waged the battle on behalf of striking sanitation workers.
Fun fact: The iconic "I Am a Man" signs held by strikers and the garbage truck from the original exhibition can be found here.
- John L. Lewis Home – Alexandria, VA
American labor leader, John L. Lewis, was the founder and first president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, and helped lead strikes in the steel and automotive industries.
Fun fact: The John L. Lewis Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
- Labor Hall of Honor — Washington, DC
The Labor Hall of Labor was established in 1988 to honor those Americans whose distinctive contributions in the field of labor have elevated working conditions, wages, and over-all quality of life of America's working families.
Fun fact: The Labor Hall of Honor is located in the Department of Labor Headquarters in Washington, DC.
- Coal Miners’ Memorial — Fairmont, WV
The Coal Miners' Memorial is a testament to the heritage of the Town of Richlands, Virginia. Dedicated in 2003,the memorial is a tribute to the men/women who sacrificed all they had to make a living as cola miners.
Fun fact: A small, man-made waterfall surrounds the memorial.
Start Your Labor History Travel Adventure
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