Social Story: How to find the McCormick Museum during field trips

Many schools start their visit at the Visitor Center Standing in the parking lot.The front door.

Inside the Visitor Center You will find a toy model of Cantigny Park under heavy plastic called Plexiglas. Don’t worry, the Plexiglas is strong enough so that people can walk on it. We ask that people walk inside the Visitor Center and use “inside voices.”

Also inside the Visitor Center There is a movie theatre. We use this to do a quick orientation. If there is time, many schools watch the 8 minute video about Cantigny Park.

Where are the restrooms? There are restrooms on the other end of the Visitor Center.

Where are the drinking fountains? There are two drinking fountains inside the Visitor Center by the restrooms. The taller drinking fountain can also be used to fill water bottles!

Ready to head out to the McCormick Museum? Many people call the McCormick Museum “the Mansion.” It used to be someone’s home and now it is a museum. We have another museum at Cantigny Park about the First Infantry Division. There will be another story about that museum soon! Exit out the “back door” and you’ll see two benches.

There are red signs to help you find your way. Your path will look like this. Sometimes you will see carts or golf carts near the path. These belong to people who work here.

Keep following the path. You should also find this small black sign pointing the way.

The path will change from bricks to concrete. There are many beautiful flowers at Cantigny. Please don’t pick the flowers. You may see different types of flowers when you visit because the flowers change with the seasons.

Stay on the concrete path! People are allowed to walk on the grass, but in order to get to the museum, you want to stay on the asphalt path. We call this spot 4 corners because of how the paths meet. Did you spot the red sign?

You should see the back of the McCormick Museum! You are going to walk down this path and then turn to the right. You will walk past two doors and two red signs before you get to the entrance.

Keep on going! Remember you will pass two doors and two red signs. This is the first set. This is the back porch, once you pass this door and red sign you are almost there!

It’s just around the corner! Once the path turns to bricks again, you know you’ve made it! This is the sign by the entrance. The times show when we have tours. If your teacher booked a tour, we save your school a spot!

We will start your field trip in the Gold Theatre. Please wait for a teacher to check in before you rush down the steps! Watch your step, there is a ramp on the other side of this orange door.

Welcome to the Gold Theatre!