Hello Friends of the Madeline Island Museum

Spring/Summer 2026

Hello Friends of the Madeline Island Museum,

Much has been afoot in the past few months, and we have much to anticipate with the many upcoming summer events.

We want to share all the latest news with you and invite your ongoing support to ensure your participation and contributions to their success.

Madeline Island Museum (MIM) News

Mike Wiggins stepped down from his role as site director of the museum to accept a challenge close to his heart to work with indigenous youth.

He will be greatly missed.

Until a full time replacement can be hired, three leaders from the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) will join forces to coordinate leadership of the museum:

Amanda Schultz, Deputy Administrator, Division of Museums and Historic sites.

Janet Seymour, Outreach Director.

Daniel Soulier, Outreach Coordinator and Acting Project Coordinator of MIM.

Dan will be on-site at the museum three days a week this summer. He is an educator and a member of the Bad River Reservation. While steering MIM this summer, he will continue his outreach work for WHS from the Great Lakes Visitors’ Center.

MIM is fully staffed for the summer, including Rob Goslin, who will return from retirement to be a vital resource to museum visitors.

The third year of the Passages exhibit will include new elements.

Even if you have explored its intriguing look at Anishinaabe history on the island in the past two years, you will be well rewarded to see the updated exhibit when you return this season.

Please view the museum website and the Friends’ website for list of summer programs.

2026 Events

Friday, May 22, 4–7 pm
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.

Friends Summer Programs

Thursday, June 25, 7 pm
Madeline Island 1980’s History Quiz Night at the Museum

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.

Friday Evening, August 21, Madeline Island Museum
Saturday, August 22, Flicker House
Annual Capser Tribute

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.

On Saturday at Flicker House, Louise Erdrich will focus her attention on youth in a program exploring traditional Ojibwe lives on Madeline Island.

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

Select Thursday Evenings
Madeline Island History Pop-ups

Laurel Lein, board member, has recruited a stellar line-up for our members-only pop-up talks on aspects of island history by members of the Friends.

All will be on Thursday afternoons in members’ homes or appropriate destinations.

Mark your calendars and know that closer to July, you will be notified how and when to secure a space for the limited, coveted audience spots.

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Beth Dooley: The Summer Kitchen,
Growing Food & Community on Madeline Island

Thursday, July 23, 2026
Museum staff: Behind the Scenes at the Madeline Island Museum

Thursday, August 6, 2026
Constance T. Ross: The Madeline Island Public Library, The Boomer Years

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Carol Sowl: Teaching within the Context of Community

Saturday, August 8
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.

Museum Volunteers

Board member Pat Spaulding has been working with Madeline Rupp, MIM Operations Coordinator, to develop the MIM summer volunteer program.

Volunteers will help at the front desk and with a variety of support positions throughout the museum.

Contact Pat Spaulding to join the cadre and to deepen your understanding of island history and the museum.

School Visits Program

The Friends have supported the museum’s school visits program since the Friends began five years ago.

We contributed $3000 in 2025 to help fund transportation enabling school students to come to the island, most for the first time, with their teachers and classmates.

For many students, experiencing the island firsthand puts them in touch with their historic roots.

School visits include a tour of the museum and other historic sites on the island. With the museum changes in management, the program has had a late start so fewer schools will visit in 2026.

We look forward to ensuring the success and growth of this program in the future. It remains a Friends’ priority so we will continue to add our resources to MIM’s funds to broaden the base of school visitors.

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Please encourage your friends and family to invest in learning more about our island’s unique history. Visit the museum, attend the Capser Tribute events, sign up for the history pop-ups, volunteer and attend the annual meeting.

As members, remember that your contributions to the Friends of the Madeline Island Museum stay on the island and help the Friends support the museum, its programs and the living memory of all those who have made Madeline Island their home.

Looking forward to the summer of 2026, seeing you on the island and at the Friends’ many events.

The Board of the Friends
of the Madeline Island Museum

DONATE ONLINE NOW

Or send your contribution to:
Friends of the Madeline Island Museum
PO Box 525, LaPointe, WI 54850

Thank You for Your Support of
Friends of The Madeline Island Museum!

Board of Directors

Jay Erstling, President
Susan Chandler, Vice President
Barbara Coffin, Treasurer
Pixie Martin, Secretary

Paul DeMain
Mimi Heersema
Laurel Lein
Sidney Levitsky
Linda Mack
Mary Magnuson
Bonnie Matuseski
Connie Ross
Keith Sowl
Pat Spaulding
Jean Teisberg

Founding Members

Hugh Madson
Ed Stringer
Virginia Stringer