Cantigny offers guided history hikes
Have you ever wondered why Cantigny Park exists and what is the First Division Museum? Or who was Robert McCormick, and why there are tanks on the grounds?
On Thursdays, join a "History Hike," a guided walking tour of the park, from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Staff will share some of their favorite stories about Cantigny Park and the McCormick family as you visit some of the most interesting and beautiful locations around the park.
Guests can meet their guide in front of the Cantigny Park Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. This is a free event, no advance registration required. There is a $5 per car parking fee. The guided tours are not held in inclement weather.
For questions, contact jgillaspie@fdmuseum.org.
While visiting the park, stop by the First Division Museum lobby for the exhibit "Nuremberg: Nazi Germany On Trial" through Aug. 1.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, a series of tribunals held after World War II to bring Nazi criminals to justice.
Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division were responsible for guarding the infamous prisoners and ensuring they did not escape justice through suicide.
This exhibit focuses on the International Military Tribunal, the 24 high-ranking Nazis who were tried, and the role of the 1st Infantry Division.
Included are artifacts from the museum's object and archival collections relating to the Tribunal.
Don't forget to check out the cell door from Nuremberg prison that is on display in the museum's "First In War" gallery.
Arranged chronologically, the "First in War" gallery follows the 1st Infantry Division from World War I to the Vietnam War. The Big Red One was the first American division sent to France during World War I, and was among the very first sent to Europe in World War II and to Vietnam in 1965. Between World War II and the Vietnam War, the 1st Infantry Division served on occupation duty in Europe and returned stateside in 1955.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with evening hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Reservations no longer required. Learn more at www.fdmuseum.org.