History & Culture

The story of the Apostle Islands is not just a chain of islands in Lake Superior, but one of people, places, and their experiences. To this day, families gather near this lake to enjoy the scenery, visit with each other and friends, use campsites, cook a meal and share stories over a fire, go for a dip in the lake and dry off in the hot sun. A tradition which stretches back for thousands of years, over which time, Native Americans occupied the islands and surrounding area.

Traces of past lives are strewn across the islands as people have lived, worked, and visited this area throughout the centuries. Their impact can be as dramatic as lighthouse or fish camp, and as small as a chunk of charcoal. The waves of Lake Superior hide other stories in underwater shipwrecks.

As part of our mission to preserve and protect the natural and cultural history of this special place, archeologists survey and analyze the remains of sites throughout the park. The artifacts in the national lakeshore are a unique and irreplaceable window to our past. Exploring these treasures allows us to glimpse a few pages in Apostle Islands’ story. All cultural sites and artifacts, including underwater, are protected by law and are for the enjoyment of all visitors and future generations to experience.

Throughout the Apostle Islands nature has shaped the history of this place. The abundant natural resources of the islands, especially the forests and fisheries, and the location in Lake Suprior near the western edge of the Great Lakes waterway have been key elements affecting why and how people settled and used the islands. The historic properties that the park maintains is over 23 acres of grounds. Our staff is dedicated to the challenge of maintaining and preserving these historic landscapes to preserve the historic function, look, and feel of our light stations, visitor centers, and cultural sites.