--- title: "This museum lets you climb all over (most of) their tanks" description: "Museums are great places to learn about history. This museum has a dozen tanks on outdoor display, and yes, you can climb all over them." date: "2021-05-11" modified: "2023-05-11" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/tactical/this-museum-lets-you-climb-all-over-most-of-their-tanks/" categories: - "Tactical" - "Vehicles" --- # This museum lets you climb all over (most of) their tanks ![A person wearing a blue shirt and shorts is sitting on top of a beige military tank displayed outdoors on a concrete platform. The tank has large tracks and a long barrel. In the background, there is a building with a green roof and tall trees with sparse leaves. The scene is set on a sunny day with a clear blue sky.]() Museums are great places to learn about history. Exhibits and displays bring the past to life and can transport visitors back in time. The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, near Chicago does this for the division's history. It also has a dozen tanks on outdoor display, and yes, you can climb all over them. The First Division Museum should not be confused with the Army-curated [First Infantry Division Museum]() at Fort Riley, Kansas. In fact, the First Division Museum was established by the Robert C. McCormick Charitable Trust. Known today as the McCormick Foundation, the trust was established by McCormick's will following his death. A former colonel and First Infantry Division WWI veteran himself, McCormick fought during the Battle of Cantigny. Upon his return to Illinois, he renamed his Wheaton farm after the battle for the French city. The park that hosts the museum was also established by the McCormick Foundation and is so-named as well. ![wwii soldier lego]() **Cantigny Park partnered with Brickmania to create an exclusive WWII 1st Infantry Division minifigure (Miguel Ortiz)** The first sight that museum visitors see is the expansive tank park. On display are First Infantry Division tanks ranging from the WWI-era [M1917 Light Tank]() to the modern M1 Abrams main battle tank. The park is even home to the only surviving T26E4 Pershing experimental tank, of which only 25 were ever produced. As mentioned previously, all the tanks in the tank park are free to be climbed on, including the Pershing. The museum even installed the tanks on bouncy compressed rubber mulch so that guests can easily jump down from them. ![wwi museum tanks]() **The WWI Schneider tank is one that you can't climb on (Miguel Ortiz)** Once guests have climbed on the tanks in the tank park, the museum offers an in-depth history of the First Division's wars. The museum's two wings are called First in War and Duty First. The former goes through the division's history in WWI, WWII, and Vietnam while the latter details modern missions like counterinsurgency, deterrence, military assistance, and peacekeeping. Guests will be transported to the trenches outside of Cantigny, Omaha Beach at Normandy, the forests of Bastogne, and the jungles of Vietnam. ![detailed museum tanks]() **The detail of the exhibits and displays at the museum is top-notch (Cantigny Park)** Aside from the museum, Cantigny Park offers visitors gardens, playgrounds, and plenty of well-maintained open space to enjoy. There's even a golf course on site. Aside from tee time, the park's $5 parking fee gets you access to all that it has to offer. However, Armed Forces Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, and the first Wednesday of every month are free days at Cantigny Park. Due to COVID-19, timed reservations for the museum are required for entry. Veterans, active duty, reserve, and National Guard members are eligible for the Honor Club at no charge. Upon verification of service, Honor Club members enjoy complimentary parking, a 10% discount at restaurants and shops, and discounted golf rates. ![sherman museum tanks]() **The Battle of the Bulge Sherman is the other tank that you can't climb on (Miguel Ortiz)** Colonel McCormick believed in fostering communities of educated, informed, and engaged citizens. Cantigny Park and the [First Division Museum]() are the embodiment of this belief. If you're ever in the area, it's well worth your time, even if you just want to climb on some tanks. ![tank musuem]() **At the tank park, climbing is encouraged (Miguel Ortiz)** ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()