Location: Wheaton, Illinois
Features: First Division Museum, Tank Park, 500 acre park with golf course, garden, McCormick Museum
History: The park was created by Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the
Chicago Tribune and founder of the Tribune Media empire. McCormick served as a Colonel in the US Army First Division during World War I and participated in the Battle of Cantigny in France. His estate was converted to Catigny Park as a place to educate, preserve and honor his experiences.
Traveler's Notes: I thought I would start off this blog with a major local Chicago attraction, Cantigny Park. The First Division Museum offers first rate exhibits about the history of the unit. There are two major set piece displays in the museum that must be experienced. The first is a mock up of a World War I trench under attack that you can walk among the ruins. The other is a D-Day "simulation" as you step off an invading landing craft onto the Normandy beach. The Tank Park outside features a nice selection of armored vehicles from World War I, World War II, and modern conflicts.
Resources:
www.cantigny.org
