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The Fortress Study Group is the only international society concerned with the study of all aspects of military architecture and fortifications and their armaments, especially works constructed to mount and resist artillery.
Publications
The society actively encourages the research, study and recording of fortifications of all periods and publishes Fort, an annual journal, which contains articles about the theory, development, practice, conservation, adaptation and reuse of fortifications and military architecture. The Fortress Study Group also publishes Casemate, a well established newsletter which appears three times a year.
Activities
Every September the Fortress Study Group holds a weekend conference with a programme of lectures and visits to local fortifications. Conferences have been held at such locations as Alderney, Chatham, Cork, Cornwall, Dover, Edinburgh, Harwich, Hull, Inverness, London, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Plymouth, Portland, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. It operates a system of
regional correspondents in the British Isles and organises an annual study trip to European and other destinations with a rich military heritage. The group has in the past visited Belgium, Denmark, France, Gibraltar, Italy, the Maginot Line, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Switzerland and many other locations. Members have been actively involved in restoration schemes such as Fort Amherst, Coalhouse Fort, Harwich Redoubt, Needles Battery, Fort Nelson, Newhaven Fort and Spitbank Fort.
Recently, FSG members have been actively involved with the Defence of Britain Project, taking a leading part in the recording process.
Library
The Fortress Study Group owns and operates a library containing an extensive collection of books and other literary material which is available to members by arrangement.
International affiliations
The group actively co-operates with other national societies with similar interests in other countries throughout the world. It is a member of the International Castles Institute IBI and a founding member of the International Fortress Council IFC, which includes the Stichting Menno van Coehoorn of the Netherlands, the Simon Stevinstichting of Belgium, the Deutsche
Gesellschaft fur Festungsforschung of Germany, the Association Vauban of France, the Czech Association for Military History of the Czech Republic, the Frenn vun der Festungsgeschicht Letzebuerg of Luxembourg and the Coast Defence Study Group of the USA.
Membership
Membership of the group is open to every individual or institution with an active interest in the study, protection and preservation of all aspects of fortifications and their armaments of all periods. It will also appeal to all fortification enthusiasts with a love for exploring castles and forts of childhood memories. Apart from the high standard of its publications, which are both learned and a great source of reference, the society offers the chance to meet with a worldwide family of friends and pursue a hobby that holds many pleasant hours of
informative fun.
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