Historic Forestville Provides Greater Access During Bat Festival

Visitors can take self-guided tours of the buildings and learn about Minnesota’s bats on July 11

For immediate release

Dated: June 29, 2026

Contacts:

Location: Historic Forestville

PRESTON, Minn (June 29, 2026) – This July, visitors can explore expanded areas of Historic Forestville while learning about the role bats play in Minnesota’s ecosystem.

The annual Bat Festival on July 11 will include educational programs and hands-on activities hosted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and self guided access to Forestville’s historic buildings provided by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Access to the historic site will be available during the festival from 1 pm-7 pm. Self-guided tours of Historic Forestville cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $8 for children under the age of 17. MNHS members save 20%. Bat Festival activities are free.

The grounds are typically open daily from dawn to dusk for self-guided exploration. The nearby Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, operated by the DNR, is a popular destination for camping, horseback riding, fishing, and more.

What:
Bat Festival
Where:
Historic Forestville
21899 County Road 118 Preston, MN 55965
When:
Saturday, July 11, 2026
1 pm–7 pm
Cost:
$12 for adults, $10 for seniors, military members, and college students, $8 for children. MNHS members save 20%.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.

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