2026
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!
Meat Raffle Fundraiser
September 11 – 5-7pm
Location: Zaverl’s Bar in Ely, MN
Come to Zaverl’s, your friendly neighborhood bar, for a Meat Raffle Fundraiser to support the Dorothy Molter Museum!
Cash purchase of raffle tickets could win you delicous steaks, seafood, pork or poultry often paired with other goodies – all for a great cause!
ECA Toast to the Season
September 13 – 12-1:30pm
Complete your ECA Passport available in the Ely Summer Times by collecting stamps from participating organizations by Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2026 to be invited and entered to win a prize at our party!
The Dorothy Molter Museum is proud to be part of the Ely Cultural Alliance that stribes to create a more vibrant, visible, and connected arts and culture community that strengthens Ely through collaboration, education, and shared celebration with a drive to position our town as a regional destination for meaningful cultural experiences.
OCTOBER
The Root Beer Lady Play
Wednesday, October 7 at 7pm
Location: Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely
Produced and coordinated by Bourgoin Productions and sponsored by Friends of the Boundary Waters
See Dorothy’s story through the lens of theater in this play written by Kim Schultz, who also plays Dorothy Molter in this this dramatic, funny, and nostalgic interpretation of Dorothy Molter’s life.
Premiered via the St. Paul History Theatre and now traveling in northern MN and WI this fall, it tells the story of the indomitable Dorothy Molter, the last legal non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters.
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.
Fall Fest Fundraiser
October 24 – 12-4pm
A collaboration between the Dorothy Molter Museum, Hammerheart Brewing and Art With A Point
More information coming soon!
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 10am-12pm
- Hammerheart Brewing 12-4pm
- Event T-shirts
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: 1 as of 9.2.26
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.