dorothy molter museum

Do stop here. The museum is a a rebuilt version of her cabin which was carried from its original site on her island. There is a story teller who knew her who guides you through it. Even if you just read the boards and watch the video by yourself you will respect Dorothy's strength and independence.

Dorothy Molter was the Root Beer Lady of the BWCA. It is implied that the root beer sold by museum gift shop is Dorothy's recipe. It is not! Dorothy did not use high fructose corn syrup! I lived in Ely when Dorothy was still alive, I think she would be appalled that they were selling this crap as hers!

I had heard of Dorothy Molter and my parents had visited her but it was fun to learn more about her. She was the last person to live in the BWCA - she moved there as a young woman and stayed to run a resort until the government declared this a wilderness area. She was a nurse and helped many people in the wilderness who in turn stood up for her when the government tried to remove her from the wilderness. When she died her cabins were moved to Ely and the museum opened. Very interesting!

We had such a pleasant visit and everyone was so helpful! We so admire Dorothy!Fun to watch the bird feeding station and the root beer is the best!

I had never heard of Dorothy Molter until we went to Ely. Then, when we went to this museum, my eyes were opened to read and view info about this strong and kind woman.....a modern pioneer.

I had read the book, The Rootbeer Lady so was very interested in seeing how Dorothy Molter lived. Was fascinating and tour guide was very good!

this is an amazing place to visit and learn about the last person allowed to live on an island before the govt. take over of what is now the BWCA. Dorothy is a truth MN pioneer! They also have several good books, yummy root beer, and a tour of her reconstructed cabins.

Don't miss this cool opportunity to step back in time and visit a place that really existed. Molter was inspirational in the simplicity of kindness she offered passersby.

We loved the reconstructed cabin that belonged to this unusual woman...the "Root Beer Lady." The guide who told us of Dorothy Molter's life was interesting, entertaining, and patient with our questions. We loved the actual film of her life including her root beer bottling enterprise. We stopped in at the gift shop to get some books and other gifts for friends and family. All of the staff is friendly and went "above and beyond" to suggest other things for us to see and do in the area.

Great historical experience that couples with a visit to the cabin that was occupied Dorothy Molter until her death.

You have to acquaint yourself with the legendary Dorothy Molter who lived on the Isle of Pines and welcomed visitors to the Boundary Waters to her home. Enjoy the museum, which are her actual cabins (summer and winter) and the artifacts from them. Watch the film that will allow you to see her charming personality. But try that amazing root beer for sale in the gift shop. The workers are equally sweet. This was easily our most memorable visit to Ely.

Tour back in time ,about the life and legend ot this unique woman. An original city gal from Chicago and spent the rest of her life on the islands in the Boundary Waters.

I really did not know if this museum would be worth the $6.50 admission (seniors and AAA members receive a discount making admission only $5.50), but it certainly was. I was there on a rainy day so I was the only visitor on my tour. Even though some of the exhibits are outdoors and you must walk to the cabins, the heavy canopy provided by the huge pines allowed very little rain to reach the gravel trail. It is located right next to the International Center on the east side of Ely so just follow the signs for that. Once inside there is a great gift shop to see while you wait for the next tour. Although I had a private tour early in the season, the guide said tours can have 30 people when it is busy. I highly recommend going early if possible to avoid the crowds so you can get close to the exhibits. The history of how Dorothy, a registered nurse from Pennsylvania, came to be in the area and acquire the property is a story in itself, but even more interesting is learning about her lengthy stay until she passed away there in 1986 and the fact she had up to 6000 visitors a year purchase or later make a donation to have some of her homemade root beer. She faced government bureaucracy in addition to the hardships of living in such a remote area reachable only by canoe and several portages.There really is much to see here including a 15 minute video which runs continuously, her Winter Cabin (which houses her root beer making equipment on the front porch), Point Cabin with exhibits on her life including her love of birds and flowers and her favorite expression "kwitchurbeliakin" and the video, a recreated outhouse, her canoe paddle fence, picnic and game area, nature and bird feeding area and Cady Cabin and exhibits. I spent two hours here and would go again. I only wish I had been one of the lucky people to have met here in person.See if you can resist the temptation to buy some of the root beer (by the bottle, six pack or case)-I had to have some and was glad I did as it is great tasting. Otherwise for a few dollars you can buy the recipe and make your own.

Check out the actual cabin and details of the life of Dorothy Malter at this museum. Don't miss the root beer. My 13-year old daughter loved it.

the Dorothy molter museum is the best attraction in ely. if you don't know who Dorothy is, you are in for a real treat.