first division museum at cantigny

Janet12014

Museum is well laid out with a passage of time recording significant US historic battles fought by the 1st. Infantry. One walks through well designed time environments that recognize the bravery and hardships of that infantry. Outside around the museum grounds there are numerous tanks displayed. My children grew up climbing around these tanks whenever we made our picnic trips to Cantigny for a day at the museum, Colonel McCormick Home Tour, and the beautiful gardens .

Farialengli

Very well-designed museum dedicated to the legendary 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. Fascinating exhibits and interactive displays capture the proud history of the “Big Red One” and are captivating for adults and young people alike. Walk through a World War I trench with the sounds of shells exploding overhead. Sit in a landing craft as soldiers storm Omaha Beach on D-Day. See an actual cell door from Nuremberg Prison that held Nazi war criminals. Walk through the jungles of Vietnam under the watchful eye of a camouflaged soldier on patrol.The grounds carry an extensive collection of tanks from World War I to Desert Storm along with armored personnel carriers and artillery pieces. It is amazing to get up close to such mighty pieces of equipment that have seen action in the theater of battle.

powmia61

Fantastic place to teach the children and adults alike about the military. Some great interactive displays. some very cool memorabilia also. Great to read about the tanks outside and the landing craft they just acquired last year.

NU49

This is a first rate museum. Extremely well done and rivals larger museums for which you would pay a large entry fee. Very well done and appealing to all levels, whether children or adult, history buff or not.

744terryw

I normally don't care for museums but since I was with a group of veterans I went along. I have to say I was amazed at the exhibits. You actually walk through a WW1 trench (without the mud).Having served in the Army, I've often heard about the "Big Red One" but this place was dedicated to the unit that was formed during the civil war and fought in every major conflict. There is a bombed out replica of the French town of Cantigny. The grounds have many exhibits as well with tanks and artillary pieces. Takes about an hour and a half and well worth the time.

andromedaeve

This museum was amazing - fantastic- interactive - incredible. I can't say enough good things. My eight-year old was enthralled by the exhibits, and he has been there 3x this summer. For the incredibly low fee of $5, your whole carload is allowed to enter the park and visit any exhibit or garden that they want. Don't miss the tanks that are located around the museum - kids love to climb on them. The mansion is lovely to tour, and the food at the little restaurant tastes really good and is reasonably priced. We especially liked the tomato bisque soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, and the salsa that is served with the chips is fresh and not too spicy. Don't ignore the gardens - there are some great photo ops for the kids, plus they look and smell wonderful. It is a cheap, but incredibly rewarding way to spend 3-4 hours.

StevenS142

Trace the contributions of soldiers in the famous First Division. Especially moving are the displays of WWI and WWII, but the displays also bring it up to date with Vietnam and the Gulf Wars. In a beautiful park setting, don't miss the motor pool area.

wildlifeship

I am not a big military person but loved this place and the history it shows. The garden and land is lovely. The mansion was OK.

457CarlosR457

Exploring the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois is an eye-opening experience. Visitors get an interactive historical and educational experience in learning about the history of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division - the proud history of the "Big Red One"!This museum is a great tribute to our men and women who have served and continue to serve in our U.S. Armed Forces. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

bobdoyle27

This is a very well done museum at Cantigny Park. You walk through a simulation of the bunkers of Cantigny and hear the sounds of war from the bunker. Then walk through the other lifesize dioramas of battlefields where the First Division saw action. A very well done museum.

680billa

Free to enter after you pay to get in the estate for $5/per carload. Tanks outside of this building are interesting and fun for the kids to play on/take pics with. The exhibit itself is very well done, the move of D-day and then walking on the 'beach' after was terrific - so was the WW I trench. Very informative and entertaining.

FormerChicagoGal

Historically it is one of the best museums of its genre. The first time I came here I was in grammar school on a field trip - now I come back periodically to remind myself of history - and to relate to how war has always been with us but has never been the answer.

jenjolley

Kids can climb on tanks and will enjoy the museum exhibits too! I visited with a group of educators for a weekend seminar. I learned so much by walking around the grounds and viewing the military exhibits. It is truly a family museum that everyone will enjoy.

Big_bro_1_usa

PROS: high quality permanent exhibits plus an annual one that will open May this year. You can have dog tags made inside from an antique machine. Great selection of tanks outside the museum. They also have a couple inside. Videos depicting the different wars can be seen inside. A great adjunct to seeing the Mansion in the other side of the Cantigny grounds.CONS: none.

J5858IWjoes

it's a great location, the museum is excellent and if you have young kids then they can climb on the tanks!