McCormick Day at Cantigny Park

Cantigny Park will commemorate the birthday of its benefactor, Colonel Robert R. McCormick, former editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Born on July 30, 1880. Robert lived on the 500-acre country estate from 1920 until his passing in 1955. His will designated Cantigny as a public park for education and recreation. On McCormick Day, Cantigny remembers the Colonel’s remarkable life as a gentleman farmer, First Division soldier, public servant and media industry innovator.

Many activities at this year’s McCormick Day celebration will follow a military theme, a salute to Colonel McCormick’s service in World War I and the Battle of Cantigny 100 years ago.

A true citizen-soldier, McCormick joined the Illinois National Guard in 1915 and served on the Mexican border in 1916. At the time, he was editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. He further volunteered for service in World War I with the First Division (now the 1st Infantry Division, the famous “Big Red One”), eventually earning the rank of Colonel.

The Battle of Cantigny in 1918 was the only major battle in which McCormick participated, but the experience affected him deeply. Upon returning to the United States, he changed the name of his Wheaton estate from Red Oaks Farm to Cantigny.

McCormick Day events are planned for all ages and interests. Here’s the full agenda:
Parade Field (12 to 4 pm)

• Obstacle Course
• Learn to March
• Camo Face Paint
• Thank A Vet
• Adopt-A-Bull
• Smokey The War Dog
• Buster Boo Brigade

Visitor Center (meet in “the backyard”)

• Garden Tour: 12 pm and 2 pm
• History Hike: 1 pm and 3 pm

McCormick House

• Museum Open House: 10 am to 5 pm
• First Division speech by Colonel McCormick reenactor John Hartness: 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm
• Flag Care: 12 to 4 pm
• Wartime Reporter Photo Station: 12 to 4 pm
• Amy McCormick living history performance by Ellie Carlson: 2 pm

First Division Museum

• Dress Like a WWI Soldier: 12 to 4 pm
• WWI Dog Tag Craft: 12 to 4 pm
First Division Museum Tank Park
• Tour with a Tanker, M1917 WWI Tank: 1 pm and 3 pm
• Scott Green Magic Show: 4:15 pm

Exedra (gravesite)

• Wreath laying ceremony honoring Colonel Robert R. McCormick by American Legion Cantigny Post 556 (2:30 pm)
McCormick House East Lawn
• Birthday cake cutting with Amy and Colonel McCormick: 3 pm

Cantigny Park is open every day during the summer from 7 am to dusk. Visit Cantigny.org to see a calendar of upcoming concerts, tours, workshops, lectures and special events.

About Cantigny Park: Cantigny Park, part of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundations, is the 500-acre Wheaton estate of Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955). It is home to the McCormick House, the newly renovated First Division Museum, the newly designed gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a remodeled Visitor Center with banquet and dining facilities. More information, including hours, directions and upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, full-service clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, visit CantignyGolf.com.