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
Ended February 13
We are proud to showcase a variety of items, experiences and services generously donated by our friends and neighbors.
Online Auction starts: 12:15am, Thursday Feb 6
Online Auction ends: 6:30pm, Thursday Feb 13
All items in the online auction will on display at the in-person event February 13 for viewing. Bidding will continue online until 6:30pm and those present may take their items home.
Plaid Tie Event
Thursday, February 13 at 5:30-8:30pm
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
Canoe Raffle
Drawing February 13 at the Plaid Tie Event
Congratulations to winner Alan of Howard, CO with ticket #101!!
Our 2024 canoe raffle drawing for a Wenonah Spirit II was at our event on February 13, 2025 – attendance is not required to win.
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 Friends” exhibit scavenger hunt installed in 2024. Dorothy’s wildlife friends on Knife Lake share special stories and offer digital content via QR codes for visitors of all ages to engage in Dorothy’s life and the Museum’s exhibits at a deeper level.
The Legacy You’re Supporting
Silent Auction & Raffle Bucket Items
Items added as they are received and processed. These items will be available for bidding at the in-person event only.
$50 Gift Card to Insula Restaurant
Insula Restaurant
Retail: $50
Hand-felted Scarf & Hand-beaded Cuff
Kay Vandervort
Retail: $120
Hand-made Notecard Set (8)
Sarah Guy-Levar
Retail: $20
Black Ash Bench
Rustic By Design
Retail: $250
Gene Hick’s Coffee Sampler
Gene Hick’s Gourmet Coffee
Retail: $49
Red Pine Bowl #8
Rusty Nail Woodcraft
Retail: $65
Red Pine Bowl #7
Rusty Nail Woodcraft
Retail: $55
I Would Turn Around Wood Sign
Tall Trees Woodworking
Retail: $45
Hand-made Pottery Mug
Blue Earth Pottery
Retail: $45
Mandarin & Cranberry 12oz Glass Jar Candle
Five Pines Candle Co
Retail: $48
Two Free Movie Passes
Ely’s Historic State Theater
Retail: $14
Magnesium Snowshoes with Bindings
Donated in memory of Dr. George Kajala
Retail: $90
1-Year Subscription Timberjay (local)
Timberjay Newspaper
Retail: $54
Wilderness Blend GH Coffee & Hydro Flask
Spirit of the Wilderness
Retail: $47.50
$50 Gift Certificate & Cap
Arrowhead Outdoors
Retail: $75
Classic 60min Massage Gift Card
Pebble Spa
Retail: $105
Living in the Boundary Waters Documentary DVD
Judy Hadel Morrissey
Retail: $35
SISU Designs Original Wolf Design Knit Hat
SISU Designs, Ely
Retail: $50
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.
EWF Hooded Sweatshirt (L) and 2025 Pin
Ely Winter Festival
Retail: $62
Red Pine Bowl #6
Rusty Nail Woodcraft
Retail: $45
1-Year Ely Echo Newspaper (#3)
Ely Echo
Retail: $45
Cranberry Woods 9oz Jar Candle
Five Pines Candle Co
Retail: $38
Apples Cookbook
AdventureKEEN Publishing
Retail: $17
The Best of Wild Rice Recipes
Anonymous Donor
Retail: $7
Scat Finder Pocket Field Guide
Anonymous Donor
Retail: $6
Two Free Movie Passes
Ely’s Historic State Theater
Retail: $14
Hamilton Beach Electric Knife with Case
Pam & Steve Meskan
Retail: $35
Two Free Admission Passes
International Wolf Center
Retail: $36
1-Year Family Membership
Dorothy Molter Museum
Retail: $50
BW & Quetico 2025 Calendar
Raven Words Press (Ely)
Retail: $16
NEBO Rechargeable Flashlight
Merhar’s Ace Hardware
Retail: $55
Living in the Boundary Waters Documentary DVD
Judy Hadel Morrissey
Retail: $35
Agates of Lake Superior Cards
AdventureKEEN Publishing
Retail: $7
I Would Turn Around Wood Sign
Tall Trees Woodworking
Retail: $45
Surprise item from the DMM Gift Shop
Dorothy Molter Museum
Retail: $5
Surprise item from the DMM Gift Shop
Dorothy Molter Museum
Retail: $16
Surprise item from the DMM Gift Shop
Dorothy Molter Museum
Retail: $16