The collections of the FDM cover both the official and personal history of the 1st Infantry Division. Strengths of the artifact collection include uniforms, flags and colors, insignia, medals and decorations and art. The permanent art collection includes over one thousand WWI posters, original drawings, paintings and sculptures.

The Robert R. McCormick Research Center has a wide range of materials that cover U.S. military history and specifically the 1st Infantry Division. This would include general military histories, unit histories, reference books, periodicals, official records, and donated materials such as diaries, memoirs, letters and photos from veterans. The RRMRC is a non-circulating facility whose stacks are closed to the public. Researchers may use all materials in the reading room with the help of RRMRC staff. Appointments are strongly suggested. For those who can not come to the museum, research requests may also be made by phone, mail or e-mail. The RRMRC is open during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Friday.

The museum provides guided tours of our main exhibit hall to registered school groups, a teacher's guide and resource packet to the museum, a D-Day educational resource packet, and our History Trunk Program. The History Trunk Program offers a hands-on supplement to classroom teaching by giving students an opportunity to handle uniforms and field gear used by soldiers in a specific war. School tours are booked at 630-260-8161. History trunks are reserved by calling 630-260-8274. Finally the Military Vehicle Program restores, maintains, operates, and periodically displays some of the most well-known vehicles of the WWII and Cold War eras on the museum grounds.

Cantigny First Division Foundation and McCormick Tribune Foundation

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars

Appointment required: False