Ely’s Dorothy Molter Museum got a $16,000 face-lift recently.
Thanks to an $8,000 grant from Minnesota Iron Range Resources, the State of Minnesota’s economic development agency for northeastern Minnesota, and matching private donations, the museum that recognizes the last person to live in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has a remodeled interpretive center.
The Ely Echo wrote about the project, HERE, as it previewed last weekend’s open house at the museum.
Molter lived on the Isle of Pines on Knife Lake from 1934 until her death in 1986. She owned and operated a resort on the island from 1948 until 1975. After the property was condemned and purchased by the federal government to establish the BWCAW, she was granted life-time tenancy on the island.
After her death, her cabin was dismantled and transported to Ely, where it is now on display at the museum.
Molter’s life was remembered by author Bob Cary in the popular book Root Beer Lady.