Cantigny

Feldgrau's WWII operational map project, map research, archives, tools and techniques, and research requests.

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MadDog
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Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:39 pm

Cantigny

Post by MadDog »

I finally had a chance to visit the US First Infantry Division museum, at Cantigny park, located in Wheaton, IL. While I had known about the tank park and the gardens, I didnt know until recently that they had archival information related to the 1st infantry division.

The library is located in the bottom floor of the 1st infantry division museum, and is staffed by some very helpful people (thanks Mary !). For WW2, they have all the archival records available at NARA, and some photo archives. I am unsure if the photos at Cantigny are available at NARA.

As it relates to German units, the records at Cantigny include the G-2 files which I have found to be very useful in locating and identifying German units for the time period of Sept-Dec 1944.

They have a typical microfilm reader and printer, but they also have a ScanPro2000 which I found to be very handy. You can view and save files in digital format and I hope that NARA gets one of these units.

While they are closed in January, they otherwise have typical operating hours of 10-4 PM on the weekdays. If you are in the area and you are interested in the 1st infantry division (not just WW2, but several conflicts), then I highly recommend visiting there.

Mad Dog

http://www.cantigny.org/museums/firstdivision.aspx
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John W. Howard
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Re: Cantigny

Post by John W. Howard »

I have a brother who lives very close; hope to see the place one of these days!!
John W. Howard
John P. Moore
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Location: Portland, Oregon & France

Re: Cantigny

Post by John P. Moore »

That's great information! Thanks for posting. The 41st Infantry Div. association is about to open a new and reportedly very large museum about 15 miles south of Portland, OR which I am eager to see.

John
MadDog
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Re: Cantigny

Post by MadDog »

PLease let us know how it goes. If they are anything like Cantigny, it will be a worthwhile experience.

Mad Dog
MadDog
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Re: Cantigny

Post by MadDog »

I has another great visit to Cantigny. The staff were extremely helpful as usual and my visit was very productive. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit, especially in the spring and summer when the gardens are in bloom.

Mad Dog
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