07/19/2026
Support the community of Ely through the wild fires. Send $$ to mutual aid, or buy a case of root beer to support Dorothy Molter museum.
The Blueberry Art Festival was cancelled as a precaution, and they are missing the 30,000+ visitors coming to the area next weekend.
SUPPORT IS NEEDED
Director Jess here, reaching out to our online community of Dorothy Molter Museum supporters and Dorothy's Angels.
Although both the Museum and the City of Ely are SAFE and OPEN for business, visitation has dropped off dramatically, 35% just this week.
I am grateful for and confident in the leadership and crews - local and national - working on the regional wildfires, and am confident in the physical safety of Dorothy's cabins and Museum property, collections and merchandise inventory including root beer.
We understand that traveling visitors are reluctant to visit and lodge in our community due to the proximity of the wildfires (8+ miles away) but we cannot remain fiscally sustainable at this rate during our open season.
We are asking you, directly, to help support the Museum at this time.
What is at risk?
✔️ General Museum operations and hours of availability
✔️ Supporting the Small Museum Magagement Internship's two dedicated summer inters and their housing
✔️ Production of Dorothy's Isles of Pines Root Beer
✔️ The off-season hours and wages of the Museum's 3 year-round employees (one FT, two PT)
If you know me, you know that I do not approach challenges with negativity and fear. I am simply sharing the current, very vulnurable situation that the Dorothy Molter Museum is experiencing and it is not sustainable.
How can you support us at this time?
👉 Merchandise, root beer, Membership purchases in-store and online https://shop.rootbeerlady.com/
👉 Donations to our General Fund to support us over this uphill portage
https://shop.rootbeerlady.com/shop/donations/9
👉 Visit us if you are nearby
👉 Like and Share this post to send it far and wide
Every business and organization is in a similiar situation in the Ely Community. If you are able to share your generosity
🤝 is coordinating resources and a list of needs in the community at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRwdLZerOm_06yL1LAuER3q4YxtAg9VU99YXoV5RGCuliXHQ/viewform?pli=1
🤝 The has a fund for those affected by the wildfires at https://www.unitedwaynemn.org/firehelp
Dorothy relied on the kindness of those visiting her, supporting her with donations for her root beer and candy, and providing assistance for hard tasks.
I'm asking for your help.
Thank you for your interest in Dorothy's story and preserving her legacy - keeping her alive in the minds and hearts of others. We would not exist if not for you.
