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Madeline Island Museum Opens for the Season on May 24

Noted in Travel + Leisure magazine, this memorable Island-based museum rich in Ojibwe history and culture, is an ideal destination for a summer road trip

LA POINTE, Wis. — The Madeline Island Museum, a Wisconsin Historical Society site located on the largest of Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands, will open for the season on May 24. The museum will feature the popular exhibit, “Passages: Ojibwe Migration to the Place Where the FoodGrows on the Water,” and offer a full schedule of programs and activities celebrating the region’s rich history.

New this year is a three-part Ojibwe visiting artist series, as well as a birchbark canoe building project—an immersive, hands-on experience that invites guests to participate in the traditional craft of canoe construction.

The museum’s weekly speaker series also returns, featuring presentations on Madeline Island’s history, natural environment and cultural traditions. Additionally, the annual Fur Trade Weekend will be held July 4–6.

“We look forward to an exciting 2025 season showcasing the island’s history and the unique talents of local Ojibwe artists,” said Mike Wiggins, Jr., site director, Madeline Island Museum. “We strive to share stories of the land and waters of Madeline Island and Lake Superior—from its early Native American roots to French and British influences—and we delight in helping visitors learn about this special place and the people who have called it home.”

 The museum, recognized in a Travel + Leisure article naming the Apostle Islands as one of “50 Places to Travel in 2025,” explores the stories of the diverse peoples who have called the island home. The immersive journey traverses four historic structures that combine to form the heart of this museum featuring fascinating artifacts and engaging exhibits that share Ojibwe, French, British and American stories.

Guests can reach Madeline Island Museum by taking a 25-minute ferry trip from Bayfield, Wisconsin. The museum is located near the ferry terminal.

Madeline Island Museum opens for “early summer” hours May 24 through July 3, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Late summer” hours begin July 4 through Aug. 3, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fall Hours continue from Sept. 3 to 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. General admission to the Madeline Island Museum is $10 for adults (18-64) and teens (13-17), $8 for seniors (65+), $5 for youth (5-12) and free for children under five.

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission and 10 percent off events. Click here to purchase tickets. Members are encouraged to pick up a Pastport for the 2025 season to start earning stamps toward special prizes for every Wisconsin Historical Society site visited!

Click here for upcoming events at Madeline Island Museum.

Community Open House – May 23, 4 to 7 p.m.

Celebrate the season opening of the Madeline Island Museum with an exclusive peek at the “Passages: Ojibwe Migration to the Place Where the Food Grows on Water” exhibit! On May 23, Madeline Island Museum opens its doors for free for the local community and visitors to learn about this special installation, which shares the history of Madeline Island including the Anishinaabe migration to Mooningwanekaaning, Chief Buffalo’s journey from Madeline Island to Washington D.C. and the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe.  This display includes dugout and birchbark canoes, paintings by Carl Gawboy (Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe), and multi-media displays. Additionally, the “Aagimaak: Ash Trees and Lacrosse Sticks with Joseph Gokee Exhibit” will be on display. 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.

Madeline Island Speaker Series – June 18 – Sept. 3, 7 to 8 p.m.

In partnership with the Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve, the Madeline Island Museum offers a FREE weekly lecture with talks highlighting the history and culture of the Apostle Islands. See program dates, topics and speakers here and listed below:

June 18: Ojibwe Ceremonial Life in 2025**— Dylan Jennings

June 25: Anishinaabe Architecture in the Great Lakes – Kevin Finney

July 2: Treasures of the Secret Fen— Emily Stone

July 9: Bears of the Northland — Jane Weber 

July 16: Anishinaabe Watercraft in the Great Lakes** — Kevin Finney

July 23: Ojibwe Star Knowledge and Earth Cosmology — Michael Price

July 30: With New Eyes, Seeking A Sense of Place in the Apostle Islands — Jeff Rennicke 

Aug. 6: The Amazing World of Bats — Brian Heeringa  

Aug. 13: The World is Changing** — Rob Croll 

Aug. 20: Ojibwe Culture and Flute Music — Michael Laughing Fox Charette 

Aug. 27: The Chequamegon Bay Mystery — Matt Hudson 

Sept. 3: Wild Calm, Finding Mindfulness in Forest Bathing — Joan Vorderbruggen

 Programs are supported in part with generous support from the Apostle Islands Historic Preservation Conservancy** and friends of Madeline Island Museum.

 Ojibwe Beaded Earrings Workshop with Ramona Morrow – June 21-22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At this event, guests can tap into their artistic side and create their own fashion and jewelry using traditional Ojibwe methods with Ramona Morrow. Morrow is an Ojibwe artist and a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Great Lakes Chippewa and descendant of the Yankton Sioux. A member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, Morrow incorporates the Ojibwe Floral of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe tribe into her art. Guests can learn about past and present Ojibwe art methods and how Indigenous cultures incorporate these methods in their work. This event is for visitors aged 13+ and is $30 per person.

Aagimaak: Ash Trees and Lacrosse Sticks with Joseph Gokee Visit plus General Admission – June 26, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Artist Visit)

Joseph Gokee will visit the Madeline Island Museum to teach the history of the Ojibwe lacrosse stick, revealing the intricacy of stick craftmanship, the history behind the Native playing of Lacrosse and how the game is an extension of healing and sharing! Joseph Gokee is a stick maker and Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribal Member. This event is $10 for adults (18-64) and teens (13-17), $8 for seniors 65+, $5 for children (5-12) and free for children under five.

Additionally, the “Aagimaak: Ash Trees and Lacrosse Sticks with Joseph Gokee Exhibit” will be on display Saturday, May 24 to Monday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit features a set of custom lacrosse sticks made by Gokee, himself. Gokee’s exhibit is part of the three-part Ojibwe artist series, “Mitigonaabe Geniwenimaad Mitigoon: The Spirit Who Takes Care of the Trees.”

Baapaagimaak: Black Ash Tree Basketmaking with April Stone Visit plus General Admission – July 15, 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. (Artist Visit)

Join April Stone on July 15 to learn about her artistry and practice black ash crafting. Stone is a Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribal member who practices responsible black ash craftmanship while sharing a larger message about preserving Mother Earth in order to continue connecting with communities in the Lake Superior region. Stone will also conduct a black ash weaving demonstration that visitors can participate in. This event is $10 for adults (18-64) and teens (13-17), $8 for seniors 65+, $5 for children (5-12) and free for children under five.

The work of Stone will also be on display at the Madeline Island Museum. “Baapaagimaak: Black Ash Tree Basketmaking” is part of a larger, three-part Ojibwe artist series, “Mitigonaabe Geniwenimaad Mitigoon: The Spirit Who Takes Care of the Trees.” Stone’s work will be on display Friday, July 4 to Sunday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wiigwaasaatig: Birchbark Tree Artistry with Nathan Gordon Visit plus General Admission – July 15, 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. (Artist Visit)

Learn the beauty and stories of birchbark tree artistry with Nathan Gordon. Gordon is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribe and traditional birchbark artist who extends Ojibwe art through his business and practice. Gordan is recognized for his artistry and is a fixture at regional powwows. He will share his personal experience, skills and inspirations at this special speaker event. This event is $10 for adults (18-64) and teens (13-17), $8 for seniors 65+, $5 for children (5-12) and free for children under five.

In addition to this exclusive speaker event, see the work of Gordon at “Wiigwaasaatig: Birchbark Tree Artistry with Nathan Gordon,” part of the larger, three-part Ojibwe artist series, “Mitigonaabe Geniwenimaad Mitigoon: The Spirit Who Takes Care of the Trees.” This display will be available from Saturday, Aug. 9 to Sunday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 1 to Sunday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Connecting Cultures: Fur Trade Weekend – July 4-6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For one special weekend in July, visitors will step back in time and experience the fur trade on Madeline Island during an 1800s fur trade experience and recreation of an old fur trade encampment. Historians and re-enactors will teach historic practices and processes, and those attending will learn about firearms development, birch canoe building, blacksmithing, surveying, wilderness medicine and more. This event is included with general admission.

For more information, visit madelineislandmuseum.wisconsinhistory.org

About the Madeline Island Museum

The Madeline Island Museum is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Founded in 1958, it tells the stories of Madeline Island and the surrounding region. Madeline Island is the homeland of the Anishinaabe people and one of the earliest areas of European settlement in the state. Mooningwanekaaning is the Ojibwe name for Madeline Island meaning place of the yellow breasted flicker bird. The site includes several historic buildings as well as the modern Capser Center Gallery where visitors can view special exhibits, watch films about island history, attend lectures, and participate in workshops. Owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society since 1968, the museum is in La Pointe, a half block from the ferry dock. Visit madelineislandmuseum.org or call (715) 747-2415 for more information. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active, and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.

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