All About History in Southern Minnesota this Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn (June 26, 2025) – Summer vacation just got more historic with new experiences from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)! Visitors can explore fresh events, exciting tours, and hidden gems across Minnesota. New events are being added all the time, so please check the MNHS events calendar throughout the summer.

MNHS Summer Free Admission Day, June 28, All Across Minnesota
The opportunity of the summer! MNHS is providing free admission to select sites and museums that normally require paid entry. Free admission days occur four times per year to provide greater access to history.

Interpreter Guided Tours, Throughout Summer, Historic Forestville
Experience life at the turn of the century in Historic Forestville by stepping into 1900s Forestville on an interpreter-guided tour that brings the town’s history to life. Discover the real stories of those who lived here, and reflect on how their choices shaped the world we know today.

Yoga in the Meadow, Throughout Summer, Historic Forestville
Historic Forestville offers yoga designed to build strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Open to all experience levels — just bring a mat, towel, or blanket and be ready to move from mat to standing and back again.

Sunrise Tour: 10,000 Years Ago Today in Minnesota, Throughout Summer, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Join an expert guide for an exclusive, up-close look at some of the oldest rock carvings in the Midwest, best viewed in the glow of the morning sun. The tours will explore the archaeology of the region's earliest people and learn how they adapted to a dramatically changing post-glacial landscape over 10,000 years ago.

Sunrise Tour: 1,000 Years Ago Today in Minnesota, Throughout Summer, Jeffers Petroglyphs
The 1,000 Years Ago tour explores the rise of Indigenous agriculture and the cultural boom that led to the founding of North America’s largest early city, one of the most dynamic and transformative periods in the continent’s history.

Rooted in Color: Dyeing with Nature, June 28, Historic Forestville
Celebrate the age-old craft of turning wool into fabric with hands-on demonstrations every Saturday in June. Each week highlights a different step in the wool-to-fiber process. Ever dyed wool with onion skins, coffee grounds, or marigolds? Join us to explore how everyday items and natural materials can transform raw wool into vibrant, hand-dyed fiber.

Author Event: Voices From Pejuhutazizi, June 28, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Join authors Teresa Peterson and Walter LaBatte Jr. as they discuss their book, Voices From Pejuhutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers at Jeffers Petroglyphs. This book is a rich trove of stories told by five generations of a Dakota Family.

Native American Game Day: Learn to Play Chunky, July 5, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Step back 1,000 years and play chunky, a game once enjoyed in America’s earliest cities. Roll a stone disc and toss spears to land closest to where it stops. 

Bat Festival, July 12 & 19, Historic Forestville
Celebrate the fascinating world of bats with a day full of fun and learning for all ages! Enjoy educational programs, hands-on activities, and self-guided experiences that highlight the vital role bats play in our ecosystems and how we can help protect them.

Minnesota Unearthed, July 12, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Throw an atlatl, learn traditional canoe-making, and discover local rocks with experts from Jeffers Petroglyphs and the Minnesota Geological Survey. Dive into Indigenous perspectives and leave with a whole new appreciation for Minnesota’s ancient past.

Investigate a Buffalo Rub, July 12, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Explore an ancient buffalo rub and uncover the deep connections between bison, people, and the prairie—a vital part of Minnesota’s culture for 10,000 years.

Rings of Heartwood Author Talk with Molly Beth Griffin, July 12, Historic Forestville
Join Molly Beth Griffin, author of Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing in her book talk at Historic Forestville.

Spring Valley Day, July 13, Historic Forestville
Join Spring Valley town historian Sharon Jahns and Spring Valley Historical Society Director Kayla Czapiewski as they share the story of how Spring Valley became the town it is today.

Wagon Ride & Learn: Stage Coaches in Forestville, July 19 & August 30, Historic Forestville
Prepare for a scenic ride around Forestville Prairie Head and discover how historic stagecoach routes helped Forestville thrive and stay connected to neighboring communities.

Flint Knapping Demonstration, July 19, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Watch flintknapper Xoloti Bembe Ek (Alex Ek) demonstrate how early hunters crafted stone arrowheads and spear points. Learn about the process and their uses in this informative program.

Victorian Garden Tea, August 2, Historic Forestville
Enjoy a Victorian afternoon tea in the Meighen kitchen garden and explore the Language of Flowers, a tradition used during the Victorian era to convey secret messages through floral arrangements. Create your own floral message in the garden to share with someone special.

Prairie Plant Identification Walk, August 9, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Join local conservationist Davis Harder for a plant identification walk at Jeffers Petroglyphs. Harder will guide you through the natural areas of Red Rock Ridge, emphasizing the importance of preserving these vital landscapes. 

Wykoff Day, August 10, Historic Forestville
Discover the story of Forestville and its surrounding communities in this fascinating presentation by the Wykoff Area Historical Society. Learn how Wykoff overcame challenges and continues to thrive today.

"Gifts of the Nettle" with Fern Renville, August 16, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Jeffers Petroglyphs hosts a weaving demonstration with Fern Renville, an artist sharing her expertise in fiber art, pottery, and weaving from her Dakota homelands.

An Evening with Charlie Parr, August 29, Historic Forestville
Kick off your Labor Day weekend with a free Friday night concert at Historic Forestville! Charlie Parr brings his raw, authentic sound to the barn. Charlie’s raw, authentic sound is a testament to the defiant spirit of his northern roots.

Funding for free admission is provided by the State of Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, and our generous donors and members.

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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