2023
MAY
Opening Day of the 2023 Season
Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely
May 27 · 10am
Our 30th Anniversary Season begins!
Join us daily through Labor Day from 10am to 5pm. Fall weekend hours 10am-4pm.
JUNE
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, June 7 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Dorothy Molter Experience: Women’s Canoe Trip
June 13-17, 2023 · Pre-registration required
$875/person
4 min/7 max participation
Available seats: 3 (as of 1/1/23)
Must be 18+
Check out this fantastic, women’s-only trip to Knife Lake in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and learn about the last (non-indigenous), permanent resident, Dorothy Molter.
Fully outfitted and guided through Ely Outfitting Company – your outdoor adventure awaits!
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, June 21 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Dorothy Day
June 25 · 11am-2pm · Free
Join the Museum in celebrating 30 years of mission-driven work!
Details TBA
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, June 28 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
JULY
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, July 5 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, July 12 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, July 19 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, July 26 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Donuts at Dorothy’s
July 30 · 11am-2pm · Free
Blueberry Arts/Crafts Fest Wknd
It’s our annual coffee ‘an with special treats from Brainstorm Bakery (makers of Crapola!) and Gene Hick’s Gourmet Coffee!
Details TBA
AUGUST
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, August 2 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, August 9 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Supporter Appreciation Day Open House
August 13 · 11am-2pm · Free
With special guests from the Root Beer Lady the Musical Cast & Crew!
We are celebrating YOU! Join us for this special open house to thank everyone who has supported the mission of the Dorothy Molter Museum for the past 30 years.
Details TBA
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, August 16 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Anniversary Screening of Living in the Boundary Waters Film & Q&A Panel
Friday, August 18 · 6-8:30pm
Location: Ely’s Historic State Theater
Details coming soon
Celebrating 30 years of honoring Dorothy
Join us for a celebratory screening of the documentary film by Judith Hadel Morrisey and Wade Black with music by Leo Kottke. This film, captured on 8mm over four years through all seasons in the early 1980s, like Dorothy, is special.
A panel Q&A will follow the film featuring special guests.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, August 23 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
Root Beer: History you can Taste
Wednesday, August 30 · 4-6pm
Location: Ely Folk School
$34 per registrant includes admission to the Museum
Start off with a lesson on the evolution of root beer that includes our own hometown root beer hero Dorothy Molter, and end with root beer sampling and instruction on making your own homebrew.
This program is offered in partnership with the Ely Folk School.
SEPTEMBER
Root Beer Lady: The Musical
Ely’s Historic State Theater
September 7, 8, 9 & 10
Harvest Moon Fest Wknd
Tickets available July 2023
Written by Barb Cary Hall and based on the book “Root Beer Lady” by Bob Cary, this musical tells the story of Dorothy Molter through song, dance and narration.
This play is an independent production of Bottle Cap Volunteer Productions.
Museum Fundraiser
Root Beer & Beer Garden
Ely Marathon Weekend
Sept 22 & 23 · Hours TBD
All proceeds go toward the Dorothy Molter Museum
Help the Museum raise funds with a frosty beverage of your choice during the Friday night 5K race and Saturday marathon events!
Located right off the race finish line, ice-cold Dorothy’s along with several tap beers and adult seltzers will be on hand to quench the thirst of those racing and cheering.
Dorothy’s Root Beer Run: Children’s Marathon
Sept 23 · Pre-registration Required
$15/child (scholarships available)
A race for kids! Children must run 25 miles PRIOR to race day where they finish the last 1.2 miles on the Ely Marathon/Half Marathon race route.
Finishers receive a race medal, bottle of Dorothy’s root beer with additional prizes for top racers.
2024
FEBRUARY/MARCH
Annual Fundraising Dinner
Our Plaid Tie Event
February TBD · 5-7:30pm
Cash bar open at 4:30pm
Join us for our big shindig this winter! We’ll be celebrating 31 years of mission-driven Northwoods education through the lens of Dorothy’s life so you won’t want to miss this.
Online silent auction, raffle buckets, door prizes, canoe raffle drawing, dinner and program – not to mention FUN! Held at the Grand Ely Lodge in Ely.
BW Experience: Dogsled to Dorothy’s
Feb 29-March 3, 2024 · Pre-registration required
$1,625/Member (2023 Price)
$1,850/Non-member (2023 Price)
2 min/4 max participation
Available seats: 4
Must be 18+
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!
JUNE
Dorothy Molter Experience: Women’s Canoe Trip
June TBD 2024 · Pre-registration required
$875/person (2023 Price)
4 min/7 max participation
Available seats: 7
Must be 18+
Check out this fantastic, women’s-only trip to Knife Lake in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and learn about the last (non-indigenous), permanent resident, Dorothy Molter.
Fully outfitted and guided through Ely Outfitting Company – your outdoor adventure awaits!
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