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DuPage County moves forward on disposition of Heritage Gallery artifacts; public notices issued
Summary
Staff reported on outreach and legal steps to determine ownership of items held in the Heritage Gallery. County attorneys prepared claim forms; families have 60 days to request return and county will take title after one year if no owner is identified. Museums have expressed interest in loans; committee discussed short-term exhibit options.
DuPage County committee members received an update on artifacts held in the county’s Heritage Gallery and the county’s effort to return items to claimants or transfer them to museums.
County staff said they have contacted possible owners and issued a public notice seeking claimants as required under the Museum Disposition of Properties Act. Staff told the committee they worked with the state’s attorney to prepare notarized claim forms and that, if no claimant establishes ownership and retrieves items within 60 days of a notarized claim, the county will proceed; after one year the county takes title if no legitimate owner is found.
Jeff, a county staff member, described outreach to family members and museums. He said the family of Cheryl Mills had contacted staff about an opera costume and boots currently in the gallery. “They’re currently in Georgia and Florida,” Jeff said, recounting his communications; he added the county will provide 60 days to return items to claimants who provide the required documentation.
Committee members discussed options for public display and short-term loans. Staff reported the Elmhurst History Museum and the Lehi Ellyn Historical Society had expressed interest in borrowing specific items for exhibits; Wheaton College expressed interest in one item discussed in committee conversation. Committee members urged staff to prioritize visible, short-term exhibit options where feasible rather than placing artifacts in long-term storage. Staff said some items on hand are replicas and that staff are working to identify originals and provenance before final disposition.
The committee directed staff to continue outreach, accept short-term loan requests from qualified museums, and follow the legal notice and title process. No final disposals were voted at the meeting; staff said they will return items to verified owners when claims are proven, and otherwise the county will take title after the statutory one-year notice period and then follow surplus-property procedures for disposition or long-term loans.
Officials said they will issue a press release if and when a disposition decision is finalized and confirmed the county intends to continue working with local museums to identify acceptable display or loan opportunities.
