Judy Garland Museum hopes grant funds will bring ruby slippers back to museum

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the Legacy Finance Bill into into law May 17. The bill allocated funds for the conservation and expansion of the state’s natural resources and outdoor recreational areas, but it also provided a $100,000 grant to try and bring back the Wizard of Oz ruby slippers stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids when they were on loan back in 2005.

Janie Heitz, executive director with museum, spoke with WDIO on Tuesday, May 21 and said that these funds are a great start in their efforts to purchase the slippers from their current owner.

“It’s a starting point,” explained Heitz. “It’s really to help us launch a larger capital campaign.”

Heitz went on to explain that the she believes returning the ruby slippers to the museum wouldn’t just be a boon for the museum itself, but for the community as a whole.

“We think it could have huge economic development opportunity for our region with tourism,” said Heitz. “It’s fun to see something come to fruition and that the state understands the importance of this valuable Hollywood memorabilia.”

The Judy Garland Museum is continuing to seek funders to help them raise additional capital to purchase the slippers. If they cannot purchase the slippers, officials with museum do not currently know how the $100,000 provided by the grant would be reallocated, but they hope it be used to bolster exhibits at the museum. This would include an exhibit that covered the theft of the slippers.

More information on the Judy Garland Museum can be found here.