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The North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Dedicated to replacing old myths with facts, it lets people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. Great things await you inside! Whether you visit us in Ely or here on our website, we hope your time with us gives you a better understanding of the world of black bears. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies entirely on the support of visitors, merchandise sales and people like you. We do not receive any state or federal funding. Help support our mission.

Irene Hartfield is a singer, songwriter, and keyboard player living in Ely, Minnesota. Irene worked as a musician in New York in its heyday, the 1970s and 80s. The Irene Hartfield Trio played some well-known watering holes in Manhattan: Jimmy Weston’s, Jilly’s, 8th Street Gallery, Red Onion, Buddy Rich’s Club, and the Grand Finale, being a few. Her group also played at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Sneaky Pete’s in Hollywood, Florida, and The Summit Club in Caracas, Venezuela. Irene also worked in the recording industry, playing and singing, and played with wonderful musician friends: Will Lee, Steve Gadd, Steve “Fonz” Gelfand, Arnie Wise, Jay Leonhardt, Stu Woods, and others. Irene worked on Holland America cruise lines for three years, sailing to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Irene also spent a summer playing a month each in three cities in Sweden, a highlight of her career.

The Ely State Theater is a historic movie theater in Ely, Minnesota, United States. The State Theater was built in 1936 by the Swanson family in Ely. Its designer was a noted architecture firm called Liebenberg & Kaplan, who had designed many theaters in Minnesota and other northern states. In 2008, the recession caused the State Theater to close its doors to the public. By 2014, The State Theater had fallen into disrepair and was purchased by Alley A Realty. They are a family business who specializes in historic preservation and redevelopment. They are working with the State of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Interior to restore the exterior and interior to its original condition.