BEST PLASTER PROJECT

McCormick House at Cantigny Park 
Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois
Signatory Contractor: J.P. Phillips Construction Company, Inc.

The members of ADC 1 of IL not only restored the historic McCormick House at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL, but also brought back its original splendor. Cantigny Park, a 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, is one of the most cherished cultural treasures in Illinois. The estate, a gift to the community by the McCormick Foundation, attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year, offering not only beautiful gardens and historic exhibits but also a place for education and civic engagement.

At the heart of this grand estate lies McCormick House, the former residence of Colonel McCormick, built in 1896. This historic mansion now serves as both an event space and a house museum. As part of its ongoing commitment to preserving history, the house was meticulously restored.

The task to replace all the plaster inside the mansion was daunting. Every wall was either patched or completely replaced with new plaster, and the extensive cornices and moldings that adorned the home were carefully recreated and installed by the skilled plasterers of ADC 1 of IL. 

These skilled artisans ensured that the house’s interior would not only be structurally sound but also visually faithful to its original design, a true tribute to the Colonel’s legacy.