Events
Saturday, August 5
Tools of the Prairie: Travois Transport and More
Participants will have an interpreter-guided experience to interact with the tools and objects of the daily life of the people of the prairie.
A travois, for example, is a tool constructed of two joined poles lashed together and pulled by a horse or dog. How was this tool suited to the landscape? Find out through this first-hand look.
- Family
- Native American
Sunday, August 6
Washburn A Mill Tour
Explore the nooks and crannies of the Washburn A Mill, the National Historic Landmark that is the home of Mill City Museum.
The tour highlights the lives of men and women who worked there, how the building functioned during its peak flour milling years, how it changed over time, and how the mill ruin was converted to a museum and office building.
Tour check-in is at 9:45 am. Includes museum admission the day of your tour.
- Tours
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Wednesday, August 9
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Thursday, August 10
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Friday, August 11
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Saturday, August 12
Bike Tour
Bring your bike to Historic Fort Snelling and join our staff as we take a bike tour inside the walls of the historic fort and will then explore the nearby Upper Post where soldiers were stationed during the 20th century and is now part of the new Upper Post Flats community.
This tour will make numerous stops along the way as we share stories from Fort Snelling’s past.
Recommended for ages 12 and up if riding a bike. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Participants must be able to get on/off a bicycle independently, follow instructions, and stay with the group tour. Helmets are mandatory.
If we need to cancel due to weather conditions, there will be a full refund or the opportunity to reschedule.
Please make sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for biking, and bring sun protection.
E-bikes permitted but no other motorized vehicles allowed.
Tour starts beside the Plank Museum and Visitor Center.
Duration of tour: 1 1/2 hours; 3 miles.
- Tours
Draft Horse Driving Experience
Join us for an amazing experience offered for the first time at Historic Forestville. Doubletree Carriage Company and Historic Forestville have teamed up to provide a lost arts skills class: driving draft horses.
This is an active participant class and you will get to groom the horses, harness the horses, learn the basic driving commands by doing some ground driving and then handle the lines from the driver’s wagon seat if you pass the ground driving portion (we will help you get there!). Experienced teamsters will be with you to guide and assist every step of the way while you learn to drive draft horses in this very special experience.
Dress for the weather with well fitted clothing that is okay to get dirty (preferably no skirts), closed toe and closed heel shoes are required (boots recommended, no sandals), and bring well fitted work gloves and a water bottle. Class will be held rain or shine.
Age restriction is 10 years and older and must be able to follow instructions. All minors must be accompanied by a paying adult/guardian.
You may attend this class even if you don’t have any horse experience and are willing to learn, we are willing to share these magnificent draft horses with you!
Includes a sack lunch, light snacks, and refreshments. Please let us know any dietary restrictions.
Check in at the Historic Forestville visitor center between 9 and 9:30 am.
- Classes & Workshops
Minneapolis Riverfront Walking Tour
Walk the Minneapolis riverfront and learn about its dramatic past. On this tour, participants will visit the historic district at St. Anthony Falls, which was once the milling center of the world and is now a growing cultural, recreational, and residential neighborhood.
Your guide will share stories of the people who have lived and worked along the riverfront and how it has changed over the years. Participants will see how the neighborhood has evolved over the years, and will learn about the riverfront renaissance over the last forty years through historic preservation and new development.
Highlights of the outdoor tour include the National Historic Engineering Landmark Stone Arch Bridge, and St. Anthony Falls, the only significant waterfall on the Mississippi River.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Plant a Traditional Native American Garden
Take part in planting beans, corn, and squash—known as the three sisters because they are frequently grown together in the same mound. This practice provides long-term soil fertility and helps the plants to thrive.
Guests will mound soil and plant seeds while learning about the archeology and the ethnohistoric background of the early horticultural and agricultural people of the Upper Midwest and prairies.
In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled.
- Native American
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Sunday, August 13
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Summit Avenue Walking Tour
Take a 90-minute walking tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, highlighting the Gilded Age mansions lining the elite avenue and the people who owned and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history, and current preservation issues of this historic neighborhood.
The tour starts at the James J. Hill House and covers 1.5 miles. All areas are accessible for those with mobility concerns, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs. Tours do not include home interiors.
- Tours
Wednesday, August 16
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Thursday, August 17
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Mississippi River Paddling Adventures
Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River. We'll be on the lookout for beaver, birds, bugs, bulrushes and so much more.
Learn how the river has impacted our landscape and our history. Come get your feet wet and have some fun on a guided tour of our little stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
Must be 10 years of age or older to participate. Those 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to Forest History Center not included.
There are two tandem kayaks available and six single kayaks available for each tour.
- Tours
Hearth & Home Tour
Join us as we explore how and where soldiers and their families, enslaved and free servants, and officers lived in the early years of Fort Snelling and hear some of the stories of people who resided at the fort.
We'll take an in-depth look at the Commandant's House and its early 1800s "modern technology."
You'll also get a glimpse into some behind the scenes work that gives insight into presenting programs such as hearth cooking.
This program will be held rain or shine. Please make sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for walking outside. Walking distance is approximately ¾ mile. Ages 8 and up.
- Tours