Fort Sheridan Historical Society
Upcoming Events
​
June 7, 2026 (times to be determined) - FSHS will host walking tours of the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery. This historic cemetery just north of the Fort is the final resting place for notable officers, common soldiers, and even POWs alike.
We will explain the history of the cemetery and walk to visit many individual graves, sharing the story of the brave person resting in each. You will leave with an increased appreciation for our soldiers and the respect they are given here after they have passed on.
Check back here for more information and ticket sales on about May 1.
Other Upcoming Events​
​​
Wednesday, April 1 - Winnetka Historical Society will offer our Early Settler Homes of Winnetka virtual presentation!
7:00-8:00pm on Zoom; Held virtually by the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
Presented by Winnetka Historical Society Curator, Meagan McChesney
This presentation takes the audience back in time by focusing on 5-10 homes built in the 1800s for early Winnetka settlers that are still standing today. The presentation focuses on several of Winnetka’s oldest homes and shares fascinating stories about the individuals who built them and lived in them. Register here: https://www.wnpld.org/.../early-settler-homes-winnetka-37160
​
​​​​​​​​Thank you to everyone who attended the tour of the History Center of Lake forest and Lake Bluff on April 2, 2026, presented by your historical Society.
​
Online Museum!
The Society has quite a number of historical items, articles, and photographs from the Fort since its inception, but no physical location (yet) to display these. Many of these can now be seen by you in our Online Museum, right here on this website!
Choose Online Museum from the top menu above or simply click here. Go ahead and scroll through our artifacts and the information we have about each one!
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.
​
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).
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
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?...
​
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
-
Sunday, June 7, we will provide guided tours of the Fort's National Cemetery.
-
Anytime - visit our Online Museum showcasing portions of our artifacts from the history of Fort Sheridan.
Fort Sheridan: Then and Now
​
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.)
