Events

Saturday, June 10

Investigate a Buffalo Rub

Investigate an ancient buffalo rub through multiple data sets that demonstrate the intricate connections between bison, people and prairie, and the dominant way of life that has been a part of Minnesota’s culture for 10,000 years. 

-
Jeffers Petroglyphs, Comfrey
  • Native American

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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • Tours

Sunday, June 11

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.

-
Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
  • 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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • 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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • Tours

Wednesday, June 14

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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • Tours

Thursday, June 15

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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
Historic Fort Snelling, Saint Paul
  • Tours

Friday, June 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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • Tours

Saturday, June 17

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.

-
Historic Fort Snelling, Saint Paul
  • Tours

Sunrise Tour

Take an expert-lead guided tour of the petroglyphs/rock carvings that are thought to be some of the oldest in the Midwest. 

You will get the rare chance to go beyond the ropes and view carvings under their most favorable viewing conditions–up close and in the morning sun. 

The tour will be accompanied by a discussion of the archaeology of the earliest people of the Midwest and the climatic and environmental conditions they would have faced. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier than the event start time. The tour will start promptly at 9:15 am.

-
Jeffers Petroglyphs, Comfrey
  • Native American
  • Tours

Courtyard Family Day: Stone Arch Bridge Festival

Mill City Museum, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, and UCare invite you to join us in the Ruin Courtyard for family activities during festival hours! 

Try out historic flour milling, make Father's Day cards, catch a photo op with the UCare bicycle, add to the Stone Arch Bridge weave art, and come enjoy a puppet show from Open Eye Theater at 11 am on Sunday.

-
Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
  • Family

Historic Lowertown Walking Tour

Uncover the stories of the neighborhood that powered St. Paul’s rise from humble outpost to thriving metropolis. 

Learn about the many ups and downs of this historic neighborhood, from its early days as a transportation hub to its current life as a thriving urban village. 

See the best of old and new and hear about the diverse people who have built and revitalized the capital city over generations.

This tour, departing from Culture Park, is approximately 2 hours long and includes moderate-paced walking over 1.5 miles of city streets.

-
Departs from Culture Park at 122 Kellogg Blvd East (SE corner of Kellogg and Robert)
  • 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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • Tours

Traditional Ojibwe-Style Leather Pouch Workshop

Learn to make a traditional Ojibwe-style leather pouch in this one-day workshop led by traditional crafting expert Carol Hernandez!

Registration is required three days prior to workshop. A minimum of five participants is required to host the workshop.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.


 

 

-
Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia
  • Classes & Workshops
  • 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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • Tours

Flintknapping Demo

Learn how early hunters created arrowheads for their spears or arrows by observing a flintknapper demonstrate the process of creating stone projectile points.

After the demonstration, try your own hand at knapping.

-
Jeffers Petroglyphs, Comfrey
  • Native American

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.

-
Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
  • 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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • Tours

Sunday, June 18

Courtyard Family Day: Stone Arch Bridge Festival

Mill City Museum, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, and UCare invite you to join us in the Ruin Courtyard for family activities during festival hours! 

Try out historic flour milling, make Father's Day cards, catch a photo op with the UCare bicycle, add to the Stone Arch Bridge weave art, and come enjoy a puppet show from Open Eye Theater at 11 am on Sunday.

-
Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
  • Family

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.

-
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
  • Tours