What to expect at our Annual Winter Fundraising Events
Your support is vital to not only keep the history of Dorothy’s life alive, but also to inspire and train the next generation of history caretakers. With your help, we can not only fund Museum operations, we can fund the important educational work done through both our internship program and our mission-driven public programming.
Online Auction
February 1 – 7
We are proud to showcase a variety of items, experiences and services generously donated by our friends and neighbors.
Online Auction starts: 12:00am, Sunday Feb 1
Online Auction ends: 7:15pm, Saturday Feb 7
All items in the online auction will on display at the in-person event February 7 for viewing. Bidding will continue online until 7:15pm and those present may take their items home.
Whirlwind! Open House
Saturday, February 7 at 11:00am-2:00pm
It’s our annual winter extravaganza with activity stations featuring student-led, winter-themed learning opportunities, a warming fire, hot beverages, a retail sale and museum exploration!
This program is in partnership with MN North College – Vermilion Campus and the Ely Winter Festival
Enjoy FREE admission all day 10am-4pm
Museum open for general admission Feb 6, 13 & 14
Plaid Tie Event
SOLD OUT! Saturday, February 7 at 5:00-7:30pm
Show your support by attending our in-person dinner where plaid attire is encouraged and FUN is in the fundraising!
In addition to a delicious buffet meal, we will have fundraising activities including a write-in silent auction, raffle buckets and door prizes.
Other ways to support
- Sponsor student volunteer dinner tickets
- Sponsor this event with a financial contribution
- Donate an item, experience or service for our auctions
Where your support goes
One effort this fundraiser supports our robust Small Museum Management Internship Program for college students providing opportunities to develop professionally through a variety of training opportunities and work experiences that are vital for the success of the daily and seasonal operations in a small museum including program and exhibit development, fiscal management, customer and community engagement, and site maintenance AND includes a day trip into the Boundary Waters, visits to other area attractions, first aid training as well as a livable hourly wage and provided housing.
This fundraiser also supports development of interactive exhibit elements like our “Dorothy’s Kitchen” exhibit coming in 2026 developed as an intern project by Danni Hurley during her 2025 internship. It will include making the space more accessible, provide more information about some of Dorothy’s kitchen tools and several of Dorothy’s favorite recipes.
The Legacy You’re Supporting
Silent Auction
Items added as they are received and processed. These items will be available for bidding at the in-person event only.
Maple Candle
Value: $20
Donor: Five Pines Candle Co
Maple leaf shaped bowl candle in Salted Honey Butter scent
End of the Road Sign
Value: $45
Donor: Tall Trees Woodworking
12″x15″, plywood
Mini Canoe with Paddles
Value: $25
Donor: Sharon Ann Sullivan
Canoe 10″ long
Bead Embroidered Set
Value: $130
Donor: Kay Vandervort
Necklace & bracelet in earth tones, silver clasp
Bird House
Value: $50
Donor: Bird Brain by Barry Nelson
15″ tall, cedar, driftwood, ceiling tin, copper
Birch Bench
Value: $175
Donor: Rustic By Design
Birch with driftwood stringer, satin poly finish
Set of Tree Decor (2)
Value: $158
Donor: Evergreen Spa & Wellness
Green tree with gold accents, red bird perched at top, 28″ and 25″ tall
Birch Bowl
Value: 115
Donor: Berglund Skalar
Hand-carved bowl, paper birch, 15.5″x4.5″x2″
Hand-knitted Shawl
Value: $45
Donor: Diane Thompson
All wool, brown/gray with lavender undertones
Wool Knitted Mittens
Value: $25
Donor: Diane Thompson
All wool, Scandinavian-style, leaf pattern, gray with green/brown
Rounds of Golf
Value: $166
Donor: Ely Golf Club
Two 18-hole rounds of golf for 2 with cart
Door Prizes
All guests receive 5 tickets and can purchase more!
Items added as they are received and processed. All guests to the in-person dinner will be entered to win.
BW Moose Pint Glass
Value: $18
Donor: Dorothy Molter Museum
BW & Quetico Calendar x 5
Value: $10
Donor: Raven Words Press
Dorothy’s Camp Flannel
Value: $57
Donor: Dorothy Molter Museum
Blue – Winner picks size!
Dorothy’s Camp Flannel
Value: $57
Donor: Dorothy Molter Museum
Red – Winner picks size!
Case of Root Beer
Value: $35
Donor: Dorothy Molter Museum
Plaid Tote & Root Beer Candle
Value: $25
Donor: Linda Gannister
Bottle Trucker Hat
Value: $30
Donor: Dorothy Molter Museum