2024

We are closed to daily general admission until May 25.

Special Events, Programs Classes
Join us for Whirlwind! on Saturday, Feb 3

Admission (Summer)

FREE for Museum Members
$6.50 Seniors (62+) & AAA Members
$7.00 Adults (18-61)
$4.50 Youth (6-17*)
FREE Children 5 & under & Active/Veteran/Retired Military

*Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a paid adult (18+)

Dorothy Molter standing in front of her cabin with the "Kwitchurbeliakin" sign.

Admission includes access to Dorothy’s original cabins, each with its own exhibits, and exploration of our outdoor natural areas: Birds’ Landing and Dorothy’s Discovery Trail. Optional guided programs are available at the top of every hour (10am-3pm) Memorial Day-Labor Day and offer a more in-depth understanding of Dorothy’s life.

**If you’d like to confirm when a guided program is available after Labor Day, please call us in advance. If you or your group would like to coordinate a visit before or after hours due to travel/trip schedules and/or health and safety concerns, please contact us directly.

Group, Bus Tours & Private visits

Please contact us at least one week in advance to request your group of 6 or more participants visit. For groups of 20+ we strongly suggest visiting in a round-robin system so that visitors are able to explore our three historic cabins with adequate elbow room (they are small).

Shoppers Welcome!

In-person* and Online shoppers are welcome – no admission required. Order online for shipping or pick-up* at the Museum.
*An appointment is required for in-person shopping or order pick-up between Labor Day-Memorial Day Weekend

“I need root beer! Where else can I buy the root beer?”

Exhibits

With three historic cabins to go into, visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history, including that of the BWCAW. 

Accessibility

The museum strives to accommodate all visitors given the limitations of our historic log cabin structures. Crushed rock pathways and wood decks offer access to all buildings on-site. The interpretive center and gift shop features an accessible, family restroom.

Accommodations: We strive to offer all visitors an environment that facilitates learning, exploring and a positive experience. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance to help us provide interpretation, private tours before/after hours or any other service that may help us offer an outstanding visit.

WINTER: During the Ely Winter Festival, we strive to make sure pathways are shoveled but the northern MN weather isn’t always in our favor and shoveling a solid, level path over frozen crushed rock can be a challenge. We are happy to help our guests maneuver over winter walk-ways if you let us know how we can!

Restrictions

The gift shop sells Isle of Pines Root Beer but we do not allow consumption of food or beverages inside the historic cabins.

The Museum does not allow open or conceal carry on-site.  During your visit, please secure your handgun in your vehicle per MN State Statutes on transport of firearms

There are no COVID-19 requirements at this time. However, we recommend vulnerable and/or unvaccinated guests over 2 years old wear a mask when inside historic cabins due to limited social distancing space.

Parking

The museum has a large, gravel parking area with a turnaround able to accommodate charter buses, large RVs and trucks with trailers. An accessible deck joins the parking area to the south entrance of the Visitor Center. Overnight camping is not allowed.

Pets

To provide a comfortable environment for all of our guests and prevent damage to our historic collection, only service animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability* are allowed inside historic buildings. Leashed (6-foot or less) domestic pets are welcome to stretch on our nature trail and parking lot provided they are well-behaved and deposits are picked up.

*Per US DOJ ADA laws regarding service animals

Location & Directions

The Dorothy Molter Museum is located on the east end of Ely, Minnesota on the south side of Hwy 169.

2002 East Sheridan Street
Ely, MN 55731
(for mailings, use PO Box 391)

218-365-4451 (we only have one line)

info@rootbeerlady.com

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