Powerful New Exhibit Opens in Time for Veteran's Day

Sandwiched between Fort Sheridan and the Great Lakes Naval Base, Lake Forest has had a front row view of the changing treatment of veterans since the end of World War I. From medical care to public reception, veterans across the generations have ridden the shifting tide of policies, funding, and public perceptions.

"Our new 'Returning Home from War' exhibition lays out some of the most important changes that veterans have borne. You will see first-person reflections from Lake Forest veterans who served our country across six wars, explains Carol Summerfield, Executive Director, History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff. "Their local stories illustrate the triumphs and struggles of veterans from conflicts dating back over a century, highlighting the complex realities they have faced upon returning home."

Artifacts, photographs, and firsthand accounts from World War I to today reveal both progress and persistent hurdles across different eras. From the physical and psychological impacts of war to the challenges of finding employment, attaining education, and navigating healthcare, the narratives of “Returning Home from War” underline the resilience of those who have served. They also showcase the efforts of communities, organizations and families to support our local veterans and ensure that sacrifices made in service are honored and remembered.

The History Center welcomes all to an Open House with refreshments on November 8 at 2pm at 509 East Deerpath in Lake Forest. In honor of Veteran's Day the History Center will be OPEN on Monday, November 11 from 10am - 4pm. The exhibit will run from November 8, 2024 through March 15, 2025.