logo

News

“COMMUNITY TREES” DISPLAY OPENS AT MCCORMICK MUSEUM NOVEMBER 18


“COMMUNITY TREES” DISPLAY OPENS AT MCCORMICK MUSEUM NOVEMBER 18

The Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park invites visitors to a special holiday attraction honoring Colonel McCormick’s philanthropic legacy.


Beginning Friday, November 18, and through December 29, the McCormick Museum will feature seven “Community Trees,” each decorated for Christmas by a different local nonprofit organization. The area charities were invited to participate because their missions involve issues or causes that were important to Robert McCormick during his career and life at Cantigny.


Each participating organization receives a $2,500 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. They also collect 100% of donations made by museum visitors, who are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree. The agency whose tree gathers the most votes receives an additional $2,500. The Foundation commits $20,000 annually to the program.

The chosen agencies recall Colonel McCormick’s passion for community service. Tree decorators in 2016 are:

Aspire, Hillside – provides bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. Founded in 1960.

Pets Assisting Wounded Warriors (PAWWS), Palos Heights – enriches the lives of disabled veterans through the use of service dogs and educates the public on the issues facing veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora - helps immigrant women learn to read, write and speak English within an atmosphere of mutual respect and dignity.

Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago – engages people in healthy and active ways to get around Chicagoland by improving conditions for safe and easy bicycling, walking and transit.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation, Lyons – The Midwest Save Our Ancestors’ Remains & Resources Indigenous Network Group (SOARRING) Foundation assists Native American tribes with repatriation concerns, educates the public about American Indian cultural and environmental issues, and builds community among all people. Founded in 1996.

Donka, Inc., Wheaton – helps people with disabilities improve their quality of life with using computers and assistive technology. Founded in 1987 at the DuPage Convalescent Center.

Youth Outlook, Naperville – supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning youth in Chicago’s western suburbs. Founded in 1996.

The trees creatively decorated by these seven organizations will be positioned throughout the McCormick Museum. For the seventh consecutive year, Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts will design and decorate the grand 18-foot-tall tree in Freedom Hall, Colonel McCormick’s historic library.

The Community Trees exhibit ends on Thursday, December 29, the museum’s final day of 2016 operations

McCormick Museum hours in November and December are 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, with visits by free guided tour. The museum is closed on Mondays and during the holidays will close November 24-25 and December 23-26.

Parking at Cantigny is $5 per vehicle (free for members). More information, including park hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org.


###

About the Robert R. McCormick Museum
The McCormick Museum is housed in the former home of Col. Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Opened in 1958, the museum is located at Cantigny Park, the 500-acre estate that McCormick left as a gift to the public. The museum engages the community in McCormick’s legacy as an active citizen, soldier and newspaper publisher.

About Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundations, is the 500-acre former estate of Col. Robert R. McCormick located in Wheaton, Illinois. Celebrating 60 years in 2015, it is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails, and a Visitor Center with banquet and dining facilities. More information, including hours, directions, and upcoming events, can be found online at Cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, a full-service clubhouse, Cantigny Golf Academy, and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, please visit CantignyGolf.com.



« Back

          Sign up for our email newsletter Sign Up

Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce
306 Main St.
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: 630-231-3003
Fax: 630-231-3009
Email: team@westerndupagechamber.com

Hours
Monday- Friday: 8:00 AM-Noon 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment Only
Sunday: Closed