2026
MAY
Annual Meeting of the Membership
Wednesday, May 6 – 4:30-5:00pm
Location: Dorothy Molter Museum
Current Museum Members may attend in-person with an RSVP to director Jess Edberg or may vote via proxy
History Happy Hour: Float Planes
Wednesday, May 20 – 5-5:30pm
FREE
Location: Boathouse Brewpub (full service restaurant/bar)
History Happy Hour delves into the rich history of the Ely, Minnesota Area with pint-sized stories that are informative and entertaining in less than a half an hour.
Join host, Jess Edberg, executive director of the Dorothy Molter Museum as she scratches the surface of a local history topic, inspiring listeners to take a deeper dive on their own.
JUNE
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 12 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Minnesota Paddling Opener
June 12-14, 2026
Spectate or Race!
This event is sponsored by the Dorothy Molter Museum and located in the Twin Cities Area
Join us at the Post Paddle Party on Sunday, June 14 to commemorate the summer paddling season at the Great River Energy Minnesota Paddling Opener!
The 5-mile “Root Beer Float” on the Mississippi River is an easy, fun way to experience paddling on the big river. It’s great for families, high school kids, and anyone new to paddling or new to the Mississippi.
Dorothy Molter Experience: Women’s Canoe Trip
June 15-19, 2026
$925
Available seats: FULL
Contact Ely Outfitting Co to be added to the wait list
A fully guided and outfitted, all-women BWCA canoe trip exploring the life and times of the inspiring Root Beer Lady of Knife Lake!
Paddle the legendary canoe route to the former home of the last legal non-indigenous resident of the BWCA and learn about this rugged woman’s life of operating a wilderness fishing resort.
This program is in partnership with Ely Outfitting Company and BW Guide Service of Ely.
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 19 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 26 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Dorothy Day Open House
Sunday, June 28 – 11am-2pm
Free admission 10am-5pm
Stop by for free admission, refreshments, exhibit tours and perhaps a special guest or two!
JULY
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
July 2 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
July 10 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 17 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 24 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Donuts at Dorothy’s Open House
Sunday, July 26 – 11am-2pm
Free admission 10am-5pm
Stop by for free admission, delicious bakery goods from Brainstorm Bakery, exhibit tours, our Blueberry Retail Sale, and perhaps a special guest or two!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June 31 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
AUGUST
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
August 7 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
August 14 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
August 21 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
Supporter Appreciation Open House
Sunday, August 23 – 11am-2pm
Free admission 10am-5pm
Stop by for free admission, refreshments, exhibit tours, door prizes, activities and perhaps a special guest or two!
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
August 28 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
SEPTEMBER
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
September 4 – 12-2pm
A weekly class in partnership with and held at the Ely Folk School offered June-August
How did an herbal tea made by Indigenous Peoples transform into a highly popular, effervescent soft drink commercially sold to the masses as well as a homebrew favorite?
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero, Dorothy Molter, then make your own to take home!
OCTOBER
History Happy Hour
Wednesday, October 21 – 5-5:30pm
FREE
Location: Boathouse Brewpub (full service restaurant/bar)
History Happy Hour delves into the rich history of the Ely, Minnesota Area with pint-sized stories that are informative and entertaining in less than a half an hour.
Join host, Jess Edberg, executive director of the Dorothy Molter Museum as she scratches the surface of a local history topic, inspiring listeners to take a deeper dive on their own.
2027
WINTER
BW Experience: Dogsled to Dorothy’s
2027 Dates TBD
$1,650/Member (2026 pricing)
$1,850/Non-member (2026 pricing)
Available seats: 4
Waitlist available
Join the Dorothy Molter Museum and Hauling Dogs, LLC on this unique adventure “up to Dorothy’s” in the winter by dogsled!
Travel from Moose Lake Landing up to Knife where you’ll camp for two nights, visit Dorothy’s Isle of Pines, and spend time trout fishing. Your outdoor adventure awaits!
SUMMER
Dorothy Molter Experience: Women’s Canoe Trip
2027 dates TBD
$925 (2026 price)
Available seats: 7
Contact Ely Outfitting Co to be added to the wait list
A fully guided and outfitted, all-women BWCA canoe trip exploring the life and times of the inspiring Root Beer Lady of Knife Lake!
Paddle the legendary canoe route to the former home of the last legal non-indigenous resident of the BWCA and learn about this rugged woman’s life of operating a wilderness fishing resort.
This program is in partnership with Ely Outfitting Company and BW Guide Service of Ely.
Speaker Services & Programs
Need a speaker with an inspiring story for your next event? Want to offer a fun party activity? Presentations (virtual and in-person) on the life of Dorothy Molter and/or root beer making events are available year-round. Presentations can be formatted to fit the needs of your organization and audience, and include additional topics such as the Boundary Waters, Northwoods ecology, and wilderness living.
Dorothy’s story is perfect for all ages and can be told at:
- Club meetings
- Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner events
- Conferences
- Conventions
- Corporate retreats
- Special events & birthdays
- Root beer float socials or parties using Dorothy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer
Speaker Program fee: $25 per hour presentation plus travel expenses (time to travel, cost of travel, lodging, meals, etc.); Discounts available for programs in the Ely Area.
Root Beer Float or Root Beer Making Party fee: Per person fee based on type of program interest and audience type, call/email for a quote!
218 365 4451 info@rootbeerlady.com
Duration: One hour minimum
Minimum equipment requirement: Access to electricity and a projector screen or presentation monitor