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One of the buildings in Forestville

Cross the Carnegie Steel Bridge into 1899 Forestville. See 19th century merchandise in the Meighen family store, discover what's cooking in the kitchen, and help the hired hand with chores in the garden and farm buildings. Costumed guides portray actual residents and their daily activities.

Forestville was once a rural trade center. Area farmers came to Forestville to trade their produce for goods and services. However, when the railroad by-passed the town in 1868, it struggled to survive. By 1890, Thomas Meighen, son of one of the town's founders, owned the entire village. The town's 50 residents made their living on his farm, working for housing and credit in the Meighen store.


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Location:
Inside Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park boundaries.
Between Preston and Spring Valley, about 30 miles south of Rochester.

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Hours:
Summer
Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday;
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday;
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Fall
September and October:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday;
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Last tour each day one hour prior to closing.

Group and Educational Tours on weekdays by reservation

Phone:
507-765-2785

Admission:
$6 adults, $5 senior citizens,
and $4 children ages 6-17.
Free for children 5 and under
and MHS Members. Different
fees may apply for special
events.

State park permits are
required.

Admission to the Mystery Cave is not included in admission to the Historic Forestville site.

Field Trip Reservations:
Call 507-765-2785 or use the Online Field Trip Request Form

Mailing Address:
Historic Forestville
21899 County 118 Road
Preston, MN 55965

E-mail:
forestville@mnhs.org