2026
FEBRUARY
History Happy Hour: Northwoods Black History
Wednesday, February 11 – 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.
BW Experience: Dogsled to Dorothy’s
February 26-March 1, 2026
$1,650/Member
$1,850/Non-member
This trip is full, email jess@rootbeerlady.com to get on the 2027 list!
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!
MARCH
History Happy Hour
Wednesday, March 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.
NEW! BW Experience: Dogsled to Dorothy’s
March 19-22, 2026
$1,650/Member
$1,850/Non-member
Two seats open, email jess@rootbeerlady.com
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!
Ely Dark Sky Festival
March 19-22, 2026
STAY TUNED!
Join us in celebrating our incredible dark night skies with a variety of indoor & outdoor events throughout town.
Learn about astronomy, astrophotography, winter recreation, and the wonders of the Northern night sky.
APRIL
History Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 15 – 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.
MAY
History Happy Hour
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
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 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: 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.
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
June Dates/Times TBD
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!
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 Dates/Times TBD
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!
Camp KWITCHURBELIAKIN
Dates & Times TBD
Offered weekly in July
Sessions for ages 4-6 and 7-12 years
Camp K is a 1.5 hour children’s program that includes a little about Dorothy and a lot about how to have fun in the woods!
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!
AUGUST
Root Beer: History You Can Taste
August Dates/Times TBD
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!
Supporter Appreciation Open House
Sunday, August 23* – 11am-2pm
Free admission 10am-5pm
*Tentatively
Stop by for free admission, refreshments, exhibit tours, door prizes, activities and perhaps a special guest or two!
SEPTEMBER
Root Beer & Beverage Tent Fundraiser
at the Ely Marathon Finish Line
September 25 & 26, 2026
Root Beer, Tap Beer, Canned Seltzer, Bottled Water & Canned Pop available for purchase. Hot Coffee available with free will donation.
Join the fun at Whiteside Park during the Ely Marathon Weekend of events!
The Museum will operate a beverage tent to raise funds to support the mission.
Dorothy’s Root Beer Run
Kid’s Marathon
September 26, 2026 – 8:45-10am
Kids who will be in grades 2-5 in Sept 2026
Sponsored by the Dorothy Molter Museum
The Ely Marathon is working hard to instill the joy of running in children!
Youth run 25 miles at some point prior to race day. On race day, they will complete the final 1.2 miles of the course and end at the official finish line.
2027
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!
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