Madeline Island Museum. Photo by Kate Bortell. ⬇️

Madeline Island Museum. Photo by Kate Bortell. ⬇️

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

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

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Tribute to Keldi Merton
Tribute to Keldi Merton

There was a send-off for Keldi on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Beach Club from noon to 3 p.m. Those who were able stopped by to thank her for her good work at the museum, and to wish her well at her new job at Bayfield County in tourism promotion. Lois Carlson read and presented a tribute to Keldi in honor of her service. Keldi has been an enthusiastic and effective site director at the museum for seven years and we will miss her! If you weren’t able to make the send-off, feel free to send her a message at klmerton@hotmail.com.

Click image to read the tribute, and watch the video of her response…

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The Friends of the Madeline Island Museum Look Ahead to Next Season
The Friends of the Madeline Island Museum Look Ahead to Next Season

From an Island Gazette Article By Linda Mack. It is going to be an exciting year for the Madeline Island Museum! The stockade fence was removed in September, 2023. Now that the stockade fence has been removed, there is an opportunity to make the museum’s exterior space more welcoming. The Friends of the Madeline Island Museum will be helping to engage the community in that process. On Saturday, September 30 a new historic marker describing the Ojibwe migration story was dedicated at the museum. This year the Wisconsin Historical Society will be developing a second historic marker to cover other aspects of the island’s history. Feel free to share your ideas by clicking here to fill out a form which will go to Janet Seymour, WHS Director of Outreach.

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Visit to the History Center and Archives at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
Visit to the History Center and Archives at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

On Monday August 27, Sid Levitsky, Paul DeMain, Leslie Mack and I visited the archives at the visitor center near Ashland. It is #14 in the Wisconsin Historical Society's statewide network of Area Research Centers, and preserves the records of eight northern Wisconsin counties, including Ashland and Bayfield Counties. The materials are extensive and include court records, city directories, area newspapers and genealogical records. We were, of course, most interested in materials relating to Madeline Island and within the brief time we were there discovered some exciting materials…

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Developments at the Museum: September 11-12—Removal of the Stockade at the Museum
Developments at the Museum: September 11-12—Removal of the Stockade at the Museum

The Wisconsin Historical Society has determined it is necessary to remove the existing stockade fence at the Madeline Island Museum. Several factors contributed to this decision…

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Friends Board Member Sid Levitsky Talks About First Contact History
Friends Board Member Sid Levitsky Talks About First Contact History

Click to listen to the audio file…

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2023 Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting, Events
2023 Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting, Events

Click image to see pictures from the 2023 Annual Meeting held at the Madeline Island Historical Preservation Association site just up the street from the museum. There were 34 people present at the Friends 2023 Annual Meeting, not counting the MIHPA board members who were hosting us. This was our 2nd Annual Meeting. We had much to report on our successes and priorities for the future. We LOVED being with the MIHPA group and seeing the excellent work they have done preserving Island properties of historic importance and positioning them on the beautiful land they have. We enjoyed the hospitality of MIHPA and all agreed that we are eager to collaborate with each other. Our membership has doubled in the past three months from  34 to 77 households and 55 to 131 individuals.

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Annual Meeting, Events
Friends Board Member Hugh Madson Talks About Life on Sand Island
Informal History Discussion, Events, Sand Island
Friends Board Member Hugh Madson Talks About Life on Sand Island
Informal History Discussion, Events, Sand Island

From one of our Informal History Discussion events: Island history buffs will love this talk about life on Sand Island from the 1930’s on… Click to view the videos.

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Informal History Discussion, Events, Sand Island
Capser Tribute: Over 100 People!
Capser Tribute
Capser Tribute: Over 100 People!
Capser Tribute

Over 100 people RSVP’d for the Capser Tribute! What a great beginning for an annual tradition! Attendees were fascinated with the history in Rick St. Germaine’s stories about “The Historic Relocation of the Ojibwe from Madeline Island”. Click Read More to see the presentation slides and event pictures…. Go to our YouTube Channel to view the videos of the presentation.

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Capser Tribute
Madeline Island History Game Show — The 60’s
History Game Show
Madeline Island History Game Show — The 60’s
History Game Show

Participants, both panel and audience challenged each other’s knowledge of Madeline Island History of the 1960’s. And members of the audience showed up for the event at the museum in their best 60’s attire. Click image to see pictures of the event…

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History Game Show
What do we get from oral histories?
What do we get from oral histories?

Mimi is spot on! Click to view the short video…

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Our First Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting, Events
Our First Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting, Events

August 27, 2022 the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum (Friends) opened their first annual meeting with a walking tour. Following the walking tour, board members enjoyed refreshments at the museum before attending to business at the first Annual Meeting. Click for more information, photos and video…

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Annual Meeting, Events
The First Gathering of the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum
Events
The First Gathering of the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum
Events

Click for more information and photos…

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Events
Mugs for Founding Members
Mugs for Founding Members

Jeannie Teisberg, founding member, created mugs to thank each Founding Board Member of the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum and challenged them to find the “chewed-off-by-beaver” artifact in the Museum.

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Madeline Island Museum Community Open House
May 23
Madeline Island Museum Community Open House

Free and Open to the Public!
Take a sneak peek at what the Madeline Island Museum has in store for the 2024 season.

Join friends and neighbors to celebrate the beginning of the 2024 Madeline Island Museum season! Be among the first to experience the new Passages exhibit, enjoy light snacks and beverages, and learn more about this season’s programs and events.

The Passages exhibit is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum with a generous contribution from the Coffin Family in memory of Robert P. Coffin.
https://www.facebook.com/events/423315860318876

Madeline Island History Game Show: The 1970s!
Jun 26
Madeline Island History Game Show: The 1970s!

Wednesday Evening at the Museum.
Free and Open to the Public!
At Madeline Island Museum.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum.

Test your knowledge of local history against the experts!

For the third year in a row, Linda Mack, our esteemed president and local historian, will MC this fun event. Add your insights and knowledge as we gather to out-remember each other. This year focuses on the 1970s. Wear your favorite 1970s outfit and join the fun!

Reading and Discussion with Anton Treuer: His New Book for Young Adults, Where Wolves Don’t Die
Jul 13
Reading and Discussion with Anton Treuer: His New Book for Young Adults, Where Wolves Don’t Die

Free and Open to the Public! All ages welcome.
Location TBD.
This is an associated event to the Second Annual Capser Tribute.

Anton Treuer will read selections and discuss his new novel, Where Wolves Don’t Die (release date June 11, 2024). From acclaimed author Anton Treuer comes a novel that's both taut thriller and a raw, tender coming-of-age story, about one Ojibwe boy learning to love himself through the love of his family around him.

The Friends of the Madeline Island Museum will host Dr. Anton Treuer, renowned expert and author on Native American language and culture, for its second annual Capser Tribute. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 13th, for an extraordinary event on the island!

Second Annual Capser Tribute
Jul 13
Second Annual Capser Tribute

“Madeline Island’s Anishinaabe Culture, History, and Language”
Anishinaabe Izhichigewin, Gaa-pi-izhiwebak, miinawaa Inwewin Moningwanekaaning

Open to the Public! At Madeline Island Museum.
Members $10, NonMembers $20 Click here to RSVP
6:45pm: Reception and book signing at the Museum
7:30pm: Program.

The Friends of the Madeline Island Museum will host Dr. Anton Treuer, renowned expert and author on Native American language and culture, for its second annual Capser Tribute. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 13th, for an extraordinary event on the island!

Madeline Island Book Club – Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask
Jul 16
Madeline Island Book Club – Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask

Meeting of the Madeline Island Book Club
At Madeline Island Library and via Zoom
Free
This is an associated event to the Second Annual Capser Tribute.

What have you always wanted to know about Indians? Do you feel like you should already know the answers—or are concerned that your questions may be offensive? For more than a decade, Anton Treuer's clear, candid, and informative book has answered questions for tens of thousands of readers.

To learn more about this event, including Zoom option, click this link: https://lapointecenter.org/event/book-club-jul-2024-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-indians-but-were-afraid-to-ask/

Compassion and Justice? A Perspective on the Mission Era on Madeline Island  
Aug 21
Compassion and Justice? A Perspective on the Mission Era on Madeline Island  

Wednesday Evening at the Museum.
Free and Open to the Public!
At Madeline Island Museum.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum.

Marina Lachecki, retired Madeline Island pastor, writer and environmental educator, will provide an historical view of the relationship between Protestant and Catholic missionaries with the Ojibwe from the 1830s to 1850s through their writing and records.

llustration from The Wisconsin Historical Society Collection: Bishop Baraga’s Church at La Pointe WI, circa 1870.

Latest Instagrams

Red Cliff Tribal Chair Nicole Boyd speaking at the dedication of the new historic marker at the Madeline Island Museum while Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins Jr., Wisconsin Historical Society Executive Director Christian Overland and museum historian Rob Goslin look on.
Red Cliff Tribal Chair Nicole Boyd speaking at the dedication of the new historic marker at the Madeline Island Museum while Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins Jr., Wisconsin Historical Society Executive Director Christian Overland and museum histor
Invitation to join Friends of the Madeline Island Museum as featured in the Gazette.
Inviting all Museum lovers to join - as featured in the Island Gazette.
Successful meeting with WHS. Plans to collaborate in the future.
Jeannie Teisberg, a founding member, created mugs to thank each fellow founding board member of the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum and challenged them to find the “chewed-off-by-beaver” artifact in the Museum that is featured on th
Paul DeMain shares historical family photos.
A turtle joins our Friends first gathering!
Friends at out first gathering.
Jeannie Teisberg speaks at our first gathering.

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

Friends gather at Ojibwe Memorial Park on Madeline Island.

Friends gather at Ojibwe Memorial Park on Madeline Island.

Sign outside the museum.

Sign outside the museum.

Telling a fuller history.jpg