Begin Your Visit Here

The Cantigny Visitors Center is the best place to start your visit.  The Center itself is historic: Built by Colonel Robert R. McCormick as one of his horse stables, the Visitors Center served as the First Division Museum from the early 1960's until the new museum opened in 1993.

As you enter the Visitors Center and walk into the main gallery, your attention is drawn to a giant floor map.  Built at 1/25 scale to accurately reflect the Cantigny estate, visitors are encouraged to walk over the map and take in a birds-eye view of Cantigny. Next, stop in the Visitors Center Theater and enjoy a 10-minute orientation film that highlights Cantigny’s attractions. Outside the theater, a large, painted collage chronicles Colonel McCormick's life.

Across the main gallery is the Joseph Medill Room. Joseph Medill was the grandfather of Colonel McCormick and he was the original owner of the estate.  It was known at that time as Red Oaks Farm, but the Colonel renamed it Cantigny after the World War I battle in which his unit fought.

The Visitors Center also houses the Gift Shop, the new Le Jardin and Bertie's Coffee Shop.

Join us on Saturday, April 3 for Breakfast with the Bunny and an Easter Egg Hunt. Click here for details.