logo

News

KREWASKY SALTER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FIRST DIVISION MUSEUM AT CANTIGNY PARK


Retired Army Colonel and military historian joins Cantigny from Smithsonian Institution.

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Cantigny Park announce the appointment of Krewasky A. Salter, Ph.D., as executive director of the First Division Museum.

Salter, a U.S. Army Colonel (retired), brings more than 34 years of experience to the museum, with 25 years gained in active military duty. He served as a senior staff officer at the Pentagon before retiring from the military in 2010.

Most recently, Salter was a guest curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). He curated the museum’s inaugural exhibition, Double Victory: The African American Military Experience. The exhibit opened in late 2016. He is also serving as curator of an upcoming exhibition, We Return Fighting: The African American Experience in World War I, scheduled to open in December 2019 at the NMAAHC.

“Krewasky’s deep experience as an Army officer, teacher and scholar of military history and museum curator makes him an ideal choice for this leadership role,” said David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “We’re delighted that he’s joining our team at Cantigny Park.”

Salter succeeds Paul Herbert, who retired in December. His appointment comes less than two years after the First Division Museum completed a comprehensive renovation. The update, part of the park’s ongoing Project New Leaf, enables visitors to experience the proud history of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division—the “Big Red One”—in exciting new ways through cutting-edge exhibits and storytelling technology.

“I am humbled to be selected executive director of the First Division Museum and join the McCormick Foundation leadership team,” said Salter. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to share my military leadership and history, museum professional and small business ownership skill sets with the great museum team at Cantigny to help achieve further success.”

Salter earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Florida State University. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War University. He taught Military History at the United States Military Academy, West Point; Military Strategy at the Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth; Military Leadership at Howard University, Washington, D.C.; and African American History at several other institutions as an adjunct professor.

Salter was a contributing author and advisor to three publications of the National Museum of African American History and Culture: Dream A World Anew: The African American Experience and the Shaping of America, Volume #5 Double Exposure: Fighting for Freedom and Many Lenses: The Buffalo Robe. He also wrote The Story of Black Military Officers, 1861–1948, and served as associate producer and senior historian for the Army-sponsored PBS documentary, Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots. Salter has appeared on “CBS This Morning” and is featured in the Netflix documentary, Medal of Honor. He sits on the Army Historical Foundation Executive Board of Directors.

A native of Florida, Salter will live in Oak Park. He and his wife have a blended family of three adult children, two teenagers, a granddaughter and daughter-in-law.

###

About the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park
The First Division Museum, part of Robert R. McCormick Foundations, promotes public learning about America’s military heritage and affairs through the history of the “Big Red One”—the famed 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. The museum’s main exhibit hall, First in War, transports visitors to the trenches of World War I, the beaches of World War II and the jungles of Vietnam. Outside, tanks are displayed from every era, along with artillery pieces and a personnel carrier. The Robert R. McCormick Research Center, open to the public, houses the museum’s library, archival and photo collections. For more information, visit www.fdmuseum.org.

About Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundations, is the 500-acre Wheaton estate of Col. Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955). It is home to the McCormick House, 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, is posted online at www.cantigny.org. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, clubhouse with banquet and dining rooms, Cantigny Golf Academy, and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. For more information, please visit www.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