About this Event
The Union League Club of Chicago and the Transportation Subcommittee
present
Chicago's Road to Building Its First Subways
Thursday, April 23, 2026
11:00 am -11:30 am | Archival Display Opens
11:30 am – 1:15 pm | Luncheon "In Conversation with CTA's Graham Garfield"
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | Vintage CTA Heritage Fleet Ride on the Green Line
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | After-Work Reception with the Transit Archives in the ULCC Library
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois
Join us for a full-day celebration of Chicago's rich transportation history. The Union League Club, Transport Chicago, and Young Professionals in Transportation have partnered to bring together the business and transportation planning communities for an event that is equal parts history, experience, and conversation.
The day begins with a luncheon conversation featuring the CTA's Graham Garfield, who will explore how Chicago — decades behind Boston, New York, and Philadelphia — finally built its first subway system in 1943, tracing the failed plans, political battles, and funding challenges that preceded it. The presentation takes a uniquely local angle, drawing on the Union League Club's own rarely seen archival record of these early proposals and the business community's stance on them.
Following the luncheon, registered guests are invited to board vintage CTA Heritage Fleet cars for a rare ride through the city on preserved historic transit vehicles. The day concludes with an after-work reception featuring remarks from ULCC Archivist Cheryl Ziegler and an opportunity to explore the Club's transportation archives firsthand in a more intimate setting.
Whether you're a transportation professional, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about how Chicago came to be the city it is, this is a rare opportunity to experience that story from multiple angles — over a meal, on the rails, and in the archives. Proceeds from the event support the Heritage Fleet's ongoing preservation mission.
Cost: Lunch - $50.00
Lunch and Heritage Train ride - $100.00
Reception and Heritage Train ride - $110.00
Reception - $55.00Discover
Space is limited. Advance registration is required.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, United States
USD 61.82 to USD 133.53
