No events have been scheduled for this year due to the pandemic. A 50-50 fundraising mail in raffle will be held. No date scheduled at this time. More information to come.

Thank you for your understanding.

Past Events

"Last of the Horse Soldiers"
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 7pm

St. James School
140 North Avenue
Highwood, IL 60040
Get Map & Directions »

Click Here for Flyer »

Holidays in Highwood Dinner & Raffle - Wednesday, December 7th, 2016, Froggy's Restaurant

Click here for flyer »

Holiday Raffle information »

NORTH SHORE LINE & HIGHWOOD - Thursday, September 1st, 2016
7 - 9pm - Oak Terrace School, 240 Prairie Avenue, Highwood

All aboard. Special presentation on the North Shore Railway. Highwood was the administrative and work center for this railroad which operated from the early 1900’s and shut down in 1963. Joe Stupar and Norm Krentel from the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL will share photos and stories of this important railway which was a major transportation connection for all communities along the North Shore from Milwaukee to Chicago. Free program. Everyone welcome. Share your memories – share your stories.

Questions? Call 847-682-9039

TERRIFIC TOMATO CONTEST - Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 - Everts Park, Highwood

Pre-Registration required. Free entry to all Highwood residents and members of HHS. Call 847-682-9039 to sign up and receive registration information. Grand prize of $100 for the best "Terrific Tomato". Tomatoes may also win special recognition by families and individuals in special "People’s Choice" donation jars by every entry. Enjoy viewing all the many kinds tomatoes and help pick the one to win the "People's Choice". This is a fun event and not to be missed.

Holidays in Highwood, Dinner and Raffle - Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

Live entertainment & door prizes at Froggy's Restaurant

Appetizer, Salad, Entree, & Dessert
$45 per person- cash bar

Seating limited – Respond by Dec. 4th

For Raffle Tickets or questions: Call 847-682-9039 or email: highwoodhistory@gmail.com

8th ANNUAL TERRIFIC TOMATO CONTEST - Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

The summer growing season is well underway and the Highwood Historical Society is thrilled to hold its 8th Annual Terrific Tomato Contest. All residents of Highwood and all members of the Historical Society are eligible to submit their tomato to win the title of Most Terrific Tomato in Town and a cash prize of $100.00. Tomatoes will be weighed, calibrated, and judged at the City of Highwood's GarlicFest on Wednesday, August 19th. Garlic AND tomatoes, does it get any better?

Join us as we celebrate the "art" of gardening in Highwood to add information to our ongoing Highwood Homes Project. Sign-up in person on Wednesdays at any Evening Market in Everts Park, via email: highwoodhistory@gmail.com, or call 847-682-9039.

We invite all gardeners of any age, with any experience, to knock-out last year's reigning champion, Omar Chuc. It only takes one.

Click Here to View the 2015 Terrific Tomato Winners »

LAST CHANCE TO DANCE WITH MARY MAZZETTA - Sunday, August 9th, 2015

Help us pay tribute to Mary Mazzetta, Highwood’s legendary Dance Instructor. Who could forget those Saturday morning classes . . . shuffle, shuffle, step, step? And the endless rehearsals for the spine-tingling, full-costume recitals at the Highwood Rec Center where our parents, grandparents, and friends sat in awe. Join us in celebrating with Mary the remarkable impact she had on a generation (or two or three) of Highwood children.

Please pass the word to your friends and families. Join the event on the Highwood Historical Society Facebook page, call 847-682-9039, or email highwoodhistory@gmail.com to R.S.V.P. Sunday, August 9th, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, St. James Parish Hall. Refreshments will be served.

ANNUAL MEETING – Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Our Annual Meeting will be held at the Highwood Bocce Courts on Wednesday, May 20th at 6:00 pm. Join us for a rousing recollection of the growth of Highwood's entertainment and dining destinations, as we celebrate the "Foods and Spirit of Highwood". Presenters include Tom "Toad Garrity – Toadstool's Pub, Bill Pigati – Del Rio Restaurant, Lenny Innocenzi – Buffo's, Bruce Bertucci – Bertucci's, and Dan Pierantoni – Al & Jane's. Hear their stories and share your own. Price is $40.00 per person, cash bar. Hurry, seating is limited. Call 847-682-9039 for reservations.

ANNUAL MEETING - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Highwood's population nearly doubled in the 1920's, a large portion of which came from families leaving the small coal towns of Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.

Join us at Froggy's French Cafe on Tuesday, May 13th, to hear the tragic story of the "1909 Cherry Mine Disaster" where 259 men and boys perished below ground and 21 men miraculously survived the fire, the "black damp" and starvation, buried alive for eight days. This gripping story of immigration and survival will be presented by Illinois Historian, Michele Micetich.

Program begins with Cocktails (Cash Bar) at 6pm, Dinner (Wine included) at 7pm followed by our guest lecturer. $45.00 per person. Froggy's French Cafe, 306 Green Bay Rd, Highwood. Please call 847-682-9039 to register by May 9th.

PROGRAM - Thursday, March 20th, 2014
"The Life and Wars of General Philip Sheridan", presented by Steve Draska

We all know that Fort Sheridan and Sheridan Road were named after him, but exactly who was Philip Sheridan? Just how does the son of Irish immigrants graduate from West Point, serve on the frontiers of both Texas and the Pacific Northwest, rise to the rank of Chief of Cavalry during the Civil War and end his career as Commander in Chief of the Army?

Highwood Historical Society Member Steve Draska explores the military and private life of General Philip Sheridan on Thursday, March 20th, 2014, at 7:00 pm, St. James Parish Hall, 140 North Avenue, Highwood. Get Map & Directions »

Call 847-682-9039 or email highwoodhistory@gmail.com to reserve your seat today. Lecture is free of charge, all guests are welcome. Coffee and refreshments to be served.

BOOK SIGNING: - Thursday, Nov. 7th, 2013
The Reluctant Patriot, Reading and Book Signing with Author Ed Bernardi

Plan to attend our next informative program on Thursday, Nov. 7th, at St. James Parish Hall, 7:00pm. Highwood Historical Society Member Ed Bernardi will share the background and history behind his first novel, The Reluctant Patriot, a unique story of love, hate, hope and patriotism set in Italy during the Mussolini era. Books will be on sale for $25 each with the proceeds to be donated to the Highwood Historical Society.

Reservations are required, call 847-682-9039 by November 1st. Refreshments will be served and there is no charge for this program.

OPERA RAFFLE WINNER - Congratulations to Eileen Favelli, have a wonderful evening!
Whether housing Ravinia & Lyric Opera performers like early 20th century stars Giovanni Martinelli, Elisabeth Rethberg, and Rosa Raisa, or hosting dinner for Luciano Pavarotti at the Community Center, Highwood has always welcomed musical talents with open arms. The Highwood Historical Society is pleased to highlight Del Rio Restaurant as they continue this musical legacy.

For the last forty years, in addition to its fine Modenese cuisine, Highwood's Del Rio Restaurant has offered popular Opera dinner performances for the weeks just prior to the Christmas Holidays. With its combination of great talent having performed worldwide in such venues as Broadway, The Met, La Scala, and Paris, plus younger voices on their way to high level careers, Del Rio's Opera has become a tradition for North Shore families. This year, the eagerly anticipated Holiday performances begin on the 6th and run until the 23rd of December.

Win your chance at Dinner* & Opera Seating for (6) in Highwood's oldest restaurant with the purchase of our "Opera in Highwood" Raffle Ticket, $20.00 ea. Winning ticket will be drawn at Highwood’s Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19th. Call 847-682-9039 for Raffle details and to purchase tickets.

Arias, carols, great food and good friends. What a wonderful evening to win!

* Tip is not included.

For more on the history of opera in Highwood, click here for our Summer 2013 Newsletter »

WINDOW DISPLAY at the First Bank of Highland Park - September 7, 2013

The Highwood Historical Society is proud to announce that it has a special display on the Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall in the lobby of First Bank of Highland Park, 1835 First Street in Highland Park. All are invited to visit the exhibit that portrays significant events in HHS’s history from its early beginnings in 1996 to its current activities. The exhibit will be on view throughout the month of September. Stop by to learn more about the history of HHS as an involved community organization. Its mission is to share, preserve and collect information and items that portray the unique history of Highwood. Teta Minuzzo, President, states "We’re grateful to have this opportunity to highlight Highwood and display photos of Highwood and Highland Park sports heroes as well as share stories of major events that have been enjoyed by local residents. It might surprise you to learn that Gary Sinise used to live in Highwood! We appreciate and thank the First Bank of Highland Park for its invitation to participate."

ANNUAL MEETING - Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
125 years ago, Camp Highwood was officially named Fort Sheridan and visited by General Philip Sheridan. Some say fear of the working man built the Fort, but the working man made Highwood what it is today. Discussions on how Highwood and Fort Sheridan interacted. It was a captivating program on the "Early Years of Fort Sheridan - North Shore to World War" by Julia Johnas. Many came to share their memories.

THANKS FOR ATTENDING OUR OPEN HOUSE:
The Highwood Historical Society held a wonderful Open House on Sunday, April 28, 2013. Many came to see our newly remodeled site and enjoy coffee, refreshments, and shared great stories. We welcome all to visit our site at 122 North Avenue. Office Hours are: Sundays 12 - 4; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 to 2; and Wednesdays - 6 to 9. Our collection of items from Highwood and Fort Sheridan keeps growing.