Madeline Island Museum

About

Discover the magic that has drawn people to Madeline Island's legendary shores for centuries. Located in the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior, WI

Story

Open Daily 10:00am - 4:00pm May 28 - July 3
Open Daily 10:00am - 5:00pm July 4 - Aug 20
Open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Aug 21 - Oct 15

The Museum became a Wisconsin Historic Site in the late 1960s when Leo and Bella Capser donated the museum to the Wisconsin Historical Society. In 1991 the endowment established by the Capsers provided the means to add the newer Capser Center. This modern facility houses changing exhibits on island and regional history, an auditorium, a museum store, space for collections storage and exhibit fabrication, and staff offices.

Fifty years after opening, the original Madeline Island Museum looks very much like it did back in 1958, chock-full of fascinating objects and artifacts from one of the richest historical collections in Wisconsin.

Mission

Enchanted by Madeline Island's rich mix of history and natural beauty, Leo and Bella Capser made preservation of the island's story their personal mission. With help from Apostle Islands historian Hamilton Nelson Ross and amateur archeologist Al Galazen, the Capsers assembled a large collection of relics documenting every chapter of the island's long and storied history.

The museum was created by adjoining four historic log structures end to end — a small 1835 warehouse from the historic American Fur Company complex, the former La Pointe town jail, a Scandinavian-style barn, and the Old Sailors' Home, originally built as a memorial to a drowned sailor. Construction of the museum was overseen by Al Galazen, Ham Ross provided the storyline, and Bella designed the exhibits.

Impressum

Admission:
Adults $8
Students (age 18 and over) / Seniors (age 65 and over) $7
Children through age 17 FREE!
Wisconsin Historical Society Members FREE