THUNDER BAY – The executive director of the Thunder Bay Museum has expressed dismay about the disposal of artifacts from the Finnish Labour Temple.
Scott Bradley, in a release issued on Wednesday, said the museum had told the liquidator it was interested in acquiring some of the items, and provided them with an itemized list of things they’d be willing to take and put on display.
On Wednesday, photos began circulating of items being placed in dumpsters, along with speculation about the process and whether or not the museum had been requesting or declining the various items.
“Museum staff did visit the Finnish Labour Temple during the liquidation process and identified items that may be of significant provenance and would be best preserved in a museum. A list of items was provided to the liquidator in July. We do not know if it was passed on to the new owner,” Bradley said in the release.
“Based on an article from October 3rd on tbnewswatch.com, the museum was operating under the impression that we would have the opportunity to work with the Finlandia Association to review the artifacts and theatrical materials for possible transfer.”
However, new owner Brad McKinnon said it was his understanding that the historical society and interests had been going through the items slated for disposal, which were mostly old pieces of clothing and theatre props.
"I was my understanding that was being divied out and given to the right places back in October," McKinnon said in an interview with CKPR News. "So when I took over the building on Nov. 6, I'd assumed that whatever was left behind was not wanted by any group."
Bradley said they made a conscious effort not to solicit or aggressively pursue the items of interest, out of respect for the Finlandia Association.
The century-old building was sold earlier this year after RBC called in mortgage payments and refused to grant an extension. The Hoito Restaurant was forced to close because of COVID-19 restrictions, depriving the facility of most of its revenue.
Bradley is hopeful some of the artifacts can be saved.
“We have stated in the past, and will continue to invite donation offers, for review, of historical materials related to the Finnish Labour Temple,” he said.
McKinnon said unfortunately, the items have already been taken away.
"I've given some items to Lawrence Badanai from a local theatre group. Other than that, we've pretty much cleared out the building," he said.
This story has been updated to include comments from Brad McKinnon, the new owner of the Finnish Labour Temple building.
