Fort Sheridan Historical Society
Upcoming Events
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Thursday, April 2, 2026 - At 1 PM, FSHS members and guests will tour the History Center of Lake Forest in Lake Forest. You are sure to enjoy this gem of a museum right in our backyard and probably will earn much about the history of this area. This tour of the Center is free to both our members and guests. We will meet at the museum at 509 E Deerpath, Lake Forest.
[From their website] Considered one of the most innovative museums in Lake County, the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff is focused on researching and showcasing community history through a diversity of voices and experiences.
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Their main exhibit, featuring interactive touchscreens and fascinating artifacts, tells the story of how Lake Forest and Lake Bluff formed, from the mastodons that once traversed this land to the people who have called it home.
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The unique exhibit format gives you a glimpse of the small stories of daily life and the big stories of changing the world. Since our technology allows us to continually add more stories, there's always something new to see and learn!
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Other Upcoming Events​
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June 7, 2026 (times to be determined) - FSHS will host walking tours of the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery. Check back here for more information soon.​​​​​​​
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Thank you to everyone who attended reveille and taps on March 3rd to honor the Fort's birthday, Also thank you to all who turned on their porch lights and displayed a flag that evening for the birthday. To see a gallery of pictures of about 46 buildings which turned their porch lights on in recent years, click here. Is your house or building pictured? Click through them to find out!
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Midwest Veterans Closet
Your Fort Sheridan Historical Society exists because of what veterans built and accomplished here over the many years. Midwest Veterans Closet, based in North Chicago and a 501(c)3 not for profit, serves veterans and military members in need.
Please consider helping Midwest Veterans Closet if you can. More information about Midwest Veterans Closet is here. Donations to Midwest Veterans Closet can be made from their website.
Inside the Water Tower
Did you ever wonder what is inside the historic water tower at Fort Sheridan? Well, now you can get a peak.
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We've added a gallery of pictures showing the spacious lower and upper floors, the spiral stairs, and the empty water storage tank, as well as views out several of the windows. The gallery can be found under the History tab above, or simply click here (Scroll down to the 3rd picture gallery on that page).
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The tower is managed by the Master Homeowners Association. And, sorry, the tower is not ever open to the public.
How Old Are These Postcard Photos??
We're always adding new things. This month, help us put a date on this packet of postcard photos, which appear to be from about the 1920s. What do you think and what clues made you think that? See them here.
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For history buffs, we've also added a listing of all the Post Commanders from the beginning of the fort (1887) through about 1970. Were any of them relatives of yours?? Look here.
The Society
The Fort Sheridan Historical Society honors, supports, educates about, and promotes the Fort and its history.
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Our goal is to provide useful information about the Fort and its history to former and current residents and those interested in the history of the Fort and the North Shore. Click here for more information about the Society.
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Please explore this site to find much more information about the Fort, its history, and how to best plan and enjoy a visit to the Fort. To encourage further research and sharing of Fort information, please support the Society by Joining.
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Your Society Board members currently are Louisa Mahoney (President), Laura Brandt (1st Vice President), Julie Jaras (Secretary), Karen Kohn (Treasurer), Tim Buckley, Joel MInster, Brandon Bodor, Douglas Holms, Jamie Wolf, and Hope Weiskgopf . All of us are current or recent Fort residents. Donna Fitzgerald currently serves the Board as Executive Director.
Want to know more about the Fort?...
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We routinely send out emails and newsletters with interesting information and updates on events. No need to be a member to get these (although there are Member Only events you may miss out on). Just contact us and we'll add you to our list!
Events
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Thursday, April 2, we will tour the Lake Forest History Museum.
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Sunday, June 7, we will provide guided tours of the Fort's National Cemetery.
Fort Sheridan: Then and Now
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A new book by Laura Tucker. Laura is a former resident of the Fort, an avid photographer and Fort Sheridan enthusiast, and has researched and compiled a collection of photographs and facts that highlight the ever-changing uses of the structures and the chameleon-like personality of the Fort. Buy it here on Amazon. (Separately, Laura has donated many of her research materials for the book to the Society's archives.)
