2026
OCTOBER
History Happy Hour: Cemeteries
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.
Dorothy Moltoberfest Fundraiser & Open House
October 24 – 10-4pm – FREE
A collaboration between the Dorothy Molter Museum, Hammerheart Brewing and Art With A Point
Beer sales to those 21yo+ only, please show your ID (even if you don’t think you need to)
Plan your visit to Ely and the Dorothy Molter Museum this fall for an epic open house!
Get excited for:
- Free Admission 10am-4pm
- Family Activities & Yard Games
- Hammerheart Brewing Beer Tent 12-4pm
- Event T-shirts designed by Awen Briem, Art with a Point
- Live music by Jason Rabuck (a tangy blend of blues, rock, folk, and original music on guitar, harmonica, and vocals)
- Sale in the Gift Shop!
Fundraiser Raffle Drawing
Saturday, October 31 – 4pm
The Museum will end its annual fundraising raffle and draw for the three winners!
Winners need not be present to win these prizes
NOVEMBER
History Happy Hour
Wednesday, November 18 – 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
March 5-8, 2027
$1,650/Member (2026 pricing)
$1,850/Non-member (2026 pricing)
Available seats: Full as of 10.12.26
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!
SPRING
Annual Meeting of the Membership
Wednesday, May 6 Time TBD
Location: Dorothy Molter Museum
JUNE
Minnesota Paddling Opener
June 2027
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 of opening weekend 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 14-18, 2027
$945
Available seats: 7
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:
- Classrooms
- 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
*Museum staff do not hold a license to serve anything other than root beer samples, staff/volunteers must prepare/serve root beer floats at the venue
Private Root Beer: History You Can Taste Classes in Ely
We are proud to offer private root beer making classes in partnership with the Ely Folk School!
Private class requests may be made directly to the Ely Folk School who will then coordinate with the Dorothy Molter Museum.
We are grateful that the Ely Folk School’s community kitchen is available for collaborative programs like this in our community.
