Madeline Island Museum. Photo by Pixie Martin.

Madeline Island Museum. Photo by Pixie Martin.

Madeline Island shoreline from the air. Photo by Jennifer Lorenz Dalquist. ⬇️

Madeline Island shoreline from the air. Photo by Jennifer Lorenz Dalquist. ⬇️

Replica of an Ojibwe dugout canoe, “Gitchigaming Manitowid”, or "In The Spirit of Lake Superior”. Photo by Paul DeMain. ⬇️

Replica of an Ojibwe dugout canoe, “Gitchigaming Manitowid”, or "In The Spirit of Lake Superior”. Photo by Paul DeMain. ⬇️

Map from an exhibit at Connecting Cultures: Exploring the Lake Superior Fur Trade. Photo by Kate Bortell. ⬇️

Map from an exhibit at Connecting Cultures: Exploring the Lake Superior Fur Trade. Photo by Kate Bortell. ⬇️

From an old postcard, La Pointe WI, circa 1910. Wisconsin Historical Society collection MI2001.1.41. ⬇️

From an old postcard, La Pointe WI, circa 1910. Wisconsin Historical Society collection MI2001.1.41. ⬇️

Friends of the Madeline Island Museum

Supporting the Museum’s Mission to Preserve and Tell Island Stories

Become A Member or Renew

We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in the State of Wisconsin.
The Madeline Island Museum is owned and managed by the Wisconsin State Historical Society.

About Us

How the Friends Support the Museum

  • Expand awareness of the museum and its programs

  • Offer volunteer support

  • Raise funds to enhance the museum’s offerings

  • Advocate for the well-being of the museum

Learn About Our History
Learn About Our Board

Latest News

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Videos: 2025 Annual Meeting
Videos: 2025 Annual Meeting

What’s going on in the Museum yard?  You may have stopped by to see the canoe projects underway this summer. There are two: the building of a new birchbark canoe using traditional Anishinaabe techniques and the restoring of a 16-foot-long 1905 birchbark canoe. View the videos for the annual meeting reports, and to hear the full story of why and how the canoes are under construction.

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Video — History Popup: The Dugout Canoe of Hidden Beach
Video — History Popup: The Dugout Canoe of Hidden Beach

The Dugout Canoe of Hidden Beach: Unraveling a Puzzle
Presented by Barbara Coffin & Dan Engstrom.
View the video of the popup presentation and discussion.

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Video: Discussion of History of Tennis on Madeline Island
Video: Discussion of History of Tennis on Madeline Island

Kip Dooley and Friends members, including Sara Greenman Sheehan, gather at the South Shore Tennis Courts to reminisce about tennis on Madeline Island through the years. Click to enjoy the video of the discussion…

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Behind the Scenes Tour of the Museum
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Museum

Attendees had a great time getting a look at the archives and working areas of the museum, and hearing about visions of possible upgrades to the building and site. Click to view pictures of the tour and hidden spaces…

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Latest Instagram

Patty Loew, Oral history talk on Madeline Island: Creation Story Sky Woman and the Animals

Coming Events

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Annual Madeline Island Museum Open House
May 22
Annual Madeline Island Museum Open House

The annual open house is free, and an important opportunity to meet new and returning staff, fellow members of the Friends and others from the island community.

The evening sets the stage for a successful 2026 season at the museum and on the island.

Madeline Island 1980’s History Quiz Night
Jun 25
Madeline Island 1980’s History Quiz Night

The popular island history quiz program is back.

Linda Mack, historian and Friends’ board member, will quiz the audience on their memories of the island during the 1980’s.

Come share your recollections and listen to those of other islanders, as we gather at the museum to out-remember each other.

Beth Dooley: The Summer Kitchen, Growing Food & Community on Madeline Island
Jul 9
Beth Dooley: The Summer Kitchen, Growing Food & Community on Madeline Island

Details about place and time to come!

Museum Staff: Behind the Scenes at the Madeline Island Museum
Jul 23
Museum Staff: Behind the Scenes at the Madeline Island Museum

Details about place and time to come!

Constance T. Ross: The Madeline Island Public Library, The Boomer Years
Aug 6
Constance T. Ross: The Madeline Island Public Library, The Boomer Years

Details about place and time to come!

2026 Annual Meeting
Aug 8
2026 Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum will be Saturday, August 8.

We look forward to seeing you there.

More details and place and time to come!

2026 Annual Capser Tribute: Fireside Chat with Louise Erdrich and Paul DeMain
Aug 21
2026 Annual Capser Tribute: Fireside Chat with Louise Erdrich and Paul DeMain

Louise Erdrich, renowned author, winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and island resident, will join community leader and Friends’ board member, Paul DeMain, in a fireside chat at the museum Friday evening, August 21.

Tickets for Friday evening will be available through our website. As the date approaches, you will receive an alert when ticket sales open.

2026 Annual Capser Tribute: Exploring Traditional Ojibwe Lives on Madeline Island with Louise Erdrich
Aug 22
2026 Annual Capser Tribute: Exploring Traditional Ojibwe Lives on Madeline Island with Louise Erdrich

On Saturday August 22 at Flicker House, Louise Erdrich, renowned author, winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and island resident, will focus her attention on youth in a program exploring traditional Ojibwe lives on Madeline Island.

Carol Sowl: Teaching within the Context of Community
Aug 27
Carol Sowl: Teaching within the Context of Community

Details about place and time to come!

Join Us

How You Can Help

  • Volunteer with us at the museum

  • Attend one of our events

  • Join one of our projects

  • Help with fundraising

  • Donate to help our efforts

Become A Member
Get Involved
Making a birch bark canoe, museum grounds 2025. Photo by Kate Bortell.

Making a birch bark canoe, museum grounds 2025. Photo by Kate Bortell.

Friends gather for an event near the old cemetery.

Friends gather for an event near the old cemetery.

Telling a fuller history.jpg