Stoically posed in front of the brick store his father and Robert Foster had built in 1857, Thomas Meighen had moved to Preston more than 20 years earlier and would live another eight years. He knew and befriended many of the political leaders of his time and was a well-regarded Populist leader. Returning to his boyhood home frequently, he looked after the old buildings and maintained an interest in how the farm was operated.

Although the house was rented out to the people working his land, his former store and office were kept locked, with the original merchandise and furnishings inside. Meighen gave out clothing from the old store stock to needy area children, but he kept most of the goods intact. His dream of turning his old family home and town into a park was realized 28 years after his death. Today Forestville has been restored to its 1899 appearance and is administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.

This photograph shows the front porch added to the store shortly after the turn of the century. On the left is the white picket fence that surrounded the attached house.