The Heritage North Museum in Thompson, Manitoba, is searching for the rightful owners of a 1920s-era handmade white beaded dress before taking permanent legal ownership of the item. The museum issued a formal notice on March 17, 2026, requesting that anyone with information regarding the artifact or the original lender come forward.
The dress, described as a going away garment, originally belonged to Ida Minerva. It was loaned to the museum in 1998 by Carol King. Despite conducting efforts to locate King or her next of kin, museum staff have been unable to make contact. The museum is following guidelines set by the Association of Manitoba Museums, which discourage long-term loans and provide a framework for museums to resolve ownership of unclaimed items.
Interested parties have until June 15, 2026, to provide proof of relation or ownership to the museum. After this 90-day period expires, the museum will officially claim the item. The institution, located at 162 Princeton Drive on Treaty Five territory, is a nonprofit organization that reopened to the public in 2025 following pandemic-related closures.
Those with knowledge of the artifact are encouraged to contact Executive Director Sarah Brown at 204-677-2216 or via email at [email protected]. The museum serves as a cultural hub for the Thompson region, which acts as the largest municipality in Northern Manitoba.
