Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters

06/15/2026

An American Flag Retirement Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site in Portage.

The Wau Bun Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution and the Cleary-Krech Post 1707 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Portage will host and perform the solemn and dignified ceremony used to properly retire a worn, tattered, or faded U.S. flag.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, burning is the preferred method of disposal, making this ceremony a respectful final tribute rather than a simple discarding of cloth.

The public is invited to attend, as well as bring tired or worn American flags for retirement.

Located at 1824 State Road 33 in Portage, Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site overlooks the point where Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette left the Fox River to portage to the Wisconsin River in 1673. It includes the Surgeons Quarters log cabin where U.S. Army surgeons resided from 1834-54 and the Garrison School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1850.

Owned by the Wisconsin Society of DAR, the historic site is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through mid-October.

For more information about the historic site, email [email protected], visit http://www.fortwinnebagosurgeonsquarters.org/ or call (608) 742-2949.

06/11/2026

Thank you to all sponsors and attendees of our Becoming Wisconsin Event!

06/10/2026

Join us for the flag retirement June 20th! 1 p.m. at FWSQHS.

06/09/2026

Sunday marked a special day as Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site presented “Becoming Wisconsin: A Revolutionary Path."
Guests moved among five “stations,” to hear stories exploring ties to America’s 250-year history.
Historical interpreters and presenters included Reed Perkins, Wisconsin historian, genealogist and author; Scott Dyar, a social studies instructor at Eleva-Strum High School in Trempeleau County; Ella Alreuter, a member of the WauBun Chapter, NSDAR; Paul Wolter, executive director of the Sauk County Historical Society; and Cliff Nieuwenhuis, a Revolutionary War re-enactor and historical interpreter.
The log cabin and Garrison School were open for self-guided tours.
The day concluded with an America 250 Commemoration featuring the posting and retiring of the colors by the Wisconsin Sons of the American Revolution Colorguard; singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Elizabeth Youra; invocation and benediction by WSDAR Chaplain Cindy McLaughlin; welcome and introduction by FWSQHS Curator Mitzi Schwertfeger; remarks by WSDAR State Regent Gena Selby; and greetings from Wisconsin Children of the American Revolution Vice President Nicholas Mullen, Portage Mayor Matt Fiene and WISSAR Colorguard Commander Robert Haglund.
A wreath was laid at the Patriots Memorial Garden.
Thanks to everyone who helped plan, volunteered at, participated in and attended this special event!

06/07/2026

We are almost ready for today's "Becoming Wisconsin: A Revolutionary Path" at Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site in Portage! Join us from 10 to 4 p.m for our free family-friendly event! Tours, five stations with Revolutionary stories and a 3 p.m. America 250 commemoration are on tap. See you soon!

06/06/2026

Tomorrow! Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Becoming Wisconsin: A Revolutionary Path”

Five “stations”
Free tours of the log cabin and Garrison School
Screamin’ Zeman’s food truck

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call (608) 742-2949.

06/04/2026

The Fox River June to June

06/03/2026

The Wisconsin Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution invites you to “Becoming Wisconsin: A Revolutionary Path,” on Sunday, June 7, at Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site in Portage. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Moving between five “stations,” you will hear the stories of pivotal moments and lives that shaped Wisconsin’s early history, with special ties to this year’s 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
Free tours of the log cabin and Garrison School are being offered from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available at Screamin’ Zeman’s food truck.
Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Historic Site is located at 1824 State Road 33.
For more information, email us at [email protected] or call (608) 742-2949.

Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters (FWSQ), located in Portage, Wisconsin, is a 19th century historic site that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. We are open to the public May to October Wed-Sun. each year. Visit us soon!

05/31/2026

Reminder that our June 7th Becoming Wisconsin event is one week away. 10 - 4 next Sunday join us for local history, and celebrating America 250!

05/30/2026

Dancing water bugs, shells, waving grasses, and birds create the vista and symphony that is the Fox River. Here at the historic portaging point, the river looks wild and untouched. Birch bark canoes of the past piloted by Ho-Chunk natives and European fur traders alike navigated these waters before roads and trains cut through the landscape.