First Division Museum at Cantigny

Museums, Historical Sites, and ZoosUnited States11-50 Employees

The First Division Museum at Cantigny is dedicated to the1st Infantry Division of the US Army, the famous "Big Red One."  Located on Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL, the historic home and estate of the late Colonel Robert R.McCormick, the museum presents the history of America's first and oldest, continuously serving combat division.  Formed for World War I in June,1917, the Big Red One has seen action in all of America's wars since, with the exception of the Korean War (1950-1953), when the division wason occupation duty in Germany.  The division's story is told in breath-taking, immersive and interactive galleries, including the trenches of the First World War Western Front, Omaha Beach of D-Day fame in Normandy, France,during WorldWar I, and the triple canopy jungles of Vietnam. The museum houses15,000 artifacts,includes a research center with over 200,000 books and documents, and hasa vigorous public and educational programming and outreach agenda.  The museum and park were bequeathed to "the peopleof Illinois" by Colonel McCormick in 1955 and are named for the village and battle  of Cantigny, France, where McCormick served with the First Division in World War I.  The Colonel went on to be the owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune until his death.  The museum and park are operated by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation of Chicago.

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