First Division Museum at Cantigny

Last fall we made a visit to Wheaton, Illinois in order to visit Cantigny Estate.  I wrote a blog post about it here.

Also on the Cantigny grounds is the First Division Museum and I was really looking forward to going through it.  The First Infantry Division was literally America's first division and was formed during WW1.

In the main lobby are statues and displays honoring the regiments from earlier American wars, beginning with the Revolutionary War,  that would eventually form the First Division.   The First Division has played major roles since WW1 in conflicts that include WW2, The Cold War, Viet Nam and Desert Storm.

The displays are life size, very detailed and interactive.  I thought it was interesting to get an inside view of battle scenes, meeting rooms, and military hospitals.  They had a huge and diverse collection of memorabilia.  As we walked from room to room, we transitioned from year to year.

 

Also on display is a steel beam from the Twin Towers of 9/11.  Last year I saw several different monuments in different areas of Illinois that commemorated the destruction of 9/11. I also reviewed The Stories They Tell which was a fascinating book detailing the events and people involved and affected on that fateful day.

 

After walking through the museum we went outside....

And did a little phoning....

Another cool thing they have on the grounds of Cantigny is their tank collection.  They have 11 authentic tanks on display from WW1 through Desert Storm.  And the best part of it is that they let you climb all over them!

Afterwards we continued walking around the beautiful grounds of Cantigny.  Cantigny is a gorgeous 500 acre public park donated to the area by Colonel Robert McCormick.  If you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting.  Plan on making a day of it!

The Popcorn Store

Do you like popcorn?  Well, I sure do.  A couple of weeks ago we were out in Wheaton, Illinois and we had to stop at The Popcorn Store.  This place has been in business since 1921 and I can almost guarantee that you've never been inside a store quite like this...

Check out their address:  111 1/4 Front Street.

What's so special or unusual about a popcorn store?  Well, this particular store is only 49 inches wide and 60 feet long.  Yes, you read that correctly!  The space was originally a walk way between 2 stores and somebody decided to roof over it and make it a shop.

When you step inside the front door, you are immediately in line against one wall... 

There are 4 different size bags of fresh popcorn that you can buy.  They only sell white popcorn and it's really good. 

 All the popcorn is hand popped in batches while you wait.  I have to say, everyone in line was patient. Nobody was rude or in a hurry or pushy.  It was nice.  It was quaint.  It was, well, old fashioned.

 

 

The opposite wall is lined with shelves that are full of all kinds of different candy.  You grab a bag and fill it up with whatever candy you want.  Check out the assortment.  It's exactly like the penny candy that I used to buy at the corner candy store when I was a kid.  Who remembers penny candy??  I sure do - root beer barrels, bull's eyes, licorice whips, paper dots, mary janes, caramels, flying saucers, bazooka bubble gum, slow pokes. 

So you stand in line, pick out some candy, toss it into a bag and slowly work your way up to the popcorn guy.  He fills your popcorn bag with freshly popped popcorn and then he dumps your candy onto a sheet of paper, adds up what you bought, and then you pay and squeeze your way past everyone to get out....

 

It's quite the experience and I have to tell you, my grandparents used to take me here when I was a little kid.  It's exactly how I remember it too.  Except the penny candy isn't a penny anymore.  LOL. 

If you're ever in Wheaton, Illinois you should try to stop by The Popcorn Store.  Be sure to get the large bag of popcorn - you'll be glad you did!