First Division Museum

Our mission is to Carry out the intentions of Colonel Robert R. McCormick for Cantigny by preserving, interpreting and presenting to the public the history of the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division in the broader context of American military history in order to promote understanding of American military history and affairs. Invoking Colonel McCormick’s service as a citizen soldier, FDM helps foster communities of citizens educated, informed and engaged in democratic civil-military relations and inspired by the stories of the past to responsible citizenship, leadership and service in the future. The Main Exhibit Hall of the First Division Museum presents the history of the 1st Infantry Division, from its prehistory in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish American War and Mexican Punitive Expedition, to its activation in World War I.Inside, visitors find 10,000 square feet of state of the art interactive and experiential exhibits. They learn about the Big Red One and its roles in World War I, where it led America onto the international stage, and World War II, as it fought its way across North Africa, through Sicily, onto OMAHA Beach and across Europe.