Cantigny Park was made available via the McCormick Foundation and has 30 acres of gardens, including two museums. The June bloom is one of the best!
One museum is the elegant mansion of Robert McCormick, iconic publisher of the Chicago Tribune and a regimental artillery commander at the Battle of Cantigny, the United States' first victory in WWI. The newly-renovated First Division Museum is two parts. "First in War" takes the visitor - against a background of world history - from the First Division organization in 1917 through their major heroics, such as Omaha Beach in Normandy, until their departure from Vietnam. "Duty First" is a cutting-edge interactive presentation of the First Division's five primary missions: military assistance, peacekeeping, attack, deterrence and counter-insurgency.
The experience in rich in U.S. pride and tradition, but not a glorification of war. The Chicago Chapter of the Temple University Alumni Association afternoon at Cantigny Park will include time to meet fellow alumni and friends, and provides options as to your interests, energy, and time.
Schedule of Events
11:45 Meet at Cantigny Visitor's Center. Restaurant and coffee shop open earlier.
12:00 - 1:00 McCormick Mansion Tour
1:15 - 2:15 Light buffet lunch and keynote speaker, Colonel John Votaw, PhD Temple University, Director (Retired) of the First Division Museum
2:30 - 3:30 First in War Tour let by Dr. Votaw and Nat Goodman, docent
3:30 - 5:00 Free time options: Duty First Self-Tour, Cantigny Park's beautiful park grounds, or leave. Museums close at 5:00, but the park is open until sunset.