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Field Trips: Historic Forestville

Field Trips: Historic Forestville

Experience a historic Minnesota valley and town site with a rich history that features a well-preserved general store, homestead, and farm buildings from the late-1800s. Explore the history of the inhabitants of this area—from ancient peoples to today’s residents.

The Many Facets of Forestville

Program designed for grades 3-7, but can be adapted for grades K-8.

Come to Historic Forestville for a curriculum-based, hands-on learning experience. Discover how the Dakota used the land before western expansion, examine how settler-colonists took advantage of the area’s natural resources, explore what pulled these people to Minnesota, experience the economics of a small town store and realize how “big” a small town can be.

Already booked?

Here is all you’ll need to know to Prepare for Your Field Trip!

Request a field trip

Historic Forestville

21899 County Road 118
Preston, MN 55965
Inside Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

fieldtrips@mnhs.org

Available

  • Fall: Tuesday - Friday
  • Spring: Monday - Friday
  • Summer: Wednesday - Sunday

Length of Program: 90 minutes

Capacity: 80 students per time slot

Cost

  • $8 per student   
  • $80 minimum group fee
  • District staff FREE
  • One free adult per ten students. Additional chaperones invoiced at student rate.

Admission costs are for anyone age 4 and over. Memberships and 6th grade passes are not valid on field trips.

Enhance your field trip

Add time to your experience to eat lunch on site or shop in the museum store. 

  • Add 30 minutes for Lunch and/or Museum Store

Victorian Field Day

Chores, school, and family were the center of a child’s life during the 19th century. In pictures, they often look sad, which could not be further from the truth. A child’s life during the 19th century would have plenty of time. This additional station students will run through the paces of several popular 19th century games to engage and understand how children lived. At the end the group will come together to learn a multiplayer game.

  • Add 25 minutes to your visit.
  • $2 per child
  • Great addition if your group is not visiting Mystery Cave.

Tour Mystery Cave!

Make reservations with the DNR to visit nearby Mystery Cave State Park, $5 per person. Let our scheduling staff know if you’re planning to visit both Historic Forestville and Mystery Cave so they can help plan. 

Academic standards

The Many Facets of Forestville program supports state of Minnesota academic standards in social studies while the Mystery Cave program supports state of Minnesota academic standards in science. See below for more detailed information.

Supported State Standards (PDF)

Summer programming

Available weekdays June through August. 

Visit Historic Forestville in the summer months with your group!

Take a scavenger hunt adventure of the historic site while learning about people who lived in Historic Forestville. Play Victorian games like those the children of Forestville would have played.

Summer 2026 reservations open February 2026.

Scholarships

See if you’re eligible for scholarships or discounts, and apply on our Scholarships and Subsidies Page.

Billing and cancellation

No payment will be accepted the day of the field trip. All schools will be invoiced after their trip based on the projected attendance numbers provided by the lead contact 14 days prior to the scheduled visit. To avoid fees, cancellations must be received 14 days before your trip.

For more information see our Program Policies.

If your group is also visiting the Mystery Cave: Fees are due at the time of arrival, unless approved by the cave manager. Accepted forms of payment are: credit cards, cash, or check payable to DNR.

Questions?

Please contact our staff at fieldtrips@mnhs.org or schedule an appointment. All booking requests must be submitted through our Request Form.