Museums and Exhibits
Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum
A two-story building celebrating the history, life and ways of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. 3,000 square feet of exhibits, including a mural on the migration of the band into the Great Lakes area; maps; artifacts; a Waaginogam — or wigwam — fur trading post and school re-creations; a wall on spirituality and beliefs; a lifeways exhibit that includes education on topics such as ricing, bead work and basketing; a constellation ceiling; and a veteran’s wall that pays tribute to Bois Forte band members who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum
Fortune Bay Casino
1500 Bois Forte Road
Tower,MN 55790
(218) 753-6017
Dorothy Molter Museum
The Dorothy Molter Museum is a memorial to the legendary last resident of the BWCAW, who died in 1986 after living most of her 79 years on Knife Lake near the U.S.-Canada border. Canoeists often stopped at Molter’s home to enjoy her hospitality and famous homemade root beer (she was often referred to as “the Root Beer Lady”) The museum’s two log cabins were transported out of the BWCAW piece-by-piece and reassembled in Ely. The Winter Cabin is now an interpretive center with pictures and documents. There is also a small gift shop and a video telling the story of her life. Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Located east of Ely on Hwy. 169
Phone: (218)365-4451
North American Bear Center
One mile west of Ely on Hwy 169
(218) 365-7879
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Exhibit Fee: Adults & Teens: $8.50
Senior Citizens age 60 years & over: $7.50
Children 3 – 12: $4.50
NABC Members and Children under 3 are free
For off –season hours & rates and for much more information, visit: www.bear.org
Featuring live bears in a 2 acre forested enclosure with a pond & 4 waterfalls. Observe bears through windows or from the outdoor observation deck. Hands-on activities for young minds. Learn Black Bear vocalizations, body language and what they mean. What if I see a bear? How to live and camp in bear country. Video clips reveal intimate details of bear life in the woods. Theatre features the best in bear films. Theatre included in admission fee. “Gift Shop”.
International Wolf Center
Ely is home to the International Wolf Center’s flagship interpretive facility, a multi-million dollar complex that examines one of the most elusive and misunderstood animals in the world. Center visitors learn about the natural history of wolves by observing the resident wolf pack and touring the “Wolves and Humans” exhibit. Program participants can track wolves by plane, go on evening howling expeditions or put on snowshoes and follow the predator’s winter tracks. Videos, talks, demonstrations, family day programs and other adventures round out a visit to the IWC.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Located east of Ely on Hwy. 169
Phone: (800) ELY-WOLF
Soudan Underground Mine
This Minnesota State Park features the first, deepest, and richest underground iron ore mine in Minnesota. Tours of the mine lead visitors through the world of underground mining. The 1.5 hour guided tour will take you 2,341 feet down and more than 100 years into our past.
Visitors can also tour the underground physics lab and learn about experiments involving neutrinos and WIMPs.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Educational and group tours are available by special arrangement. Located west of Ely off of Highway 169 in Soudan, MN.
Phone: (218) 753-2245
Sisu Heritage Homestead Tours
About 30 miles southwest of Ely – near Embarrass – you can see actual pioneer homesteads, saunas, a rare housebarn and more representing the Finnish heritage of the entire community. Several of these buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
Ely-Winton History Museum
Located on Ely’s Vermilion Community College campus, this center shows the local history of logging and mining through artifacts, photographs and displays.
Please call the museum or check out our website for current hours.
1900 East Camp St., Ely, MN 55731
Phone: (218)365-3226
