Canada’s wealthiest families unite to bid $18M for historic Hudson’s Bay charter
Two of Canada's wealthiest families, the Westons and Thomsons, have joined forces to kickstart the bidding for the historic royal charter that established the Hudson's Bay Company. The opening bid is set at $18 million.
The families have pledged to donate the charter to a consortium of four prominent public institutions if they emerge victorious at the auction. These institutions are the Archives of Manitoba, the Manitoba Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Royal Ontario Museum. In addition to the charter, the families will also contribute $5 million to fund its conservation, education, and public tours.
The royal charter, granted in 1670, is a significant historical artifact that marks the beginning of European colonization in Canada. Its acquisition by these institutions will ensure its preservation and accessibility to the public.
The auction for the Hudson's Bay Company seal is set to begin with an opening bid of $18 million. If the Westons and Thomsons secure the charter, they will donate it to a consortium of four public institutions and provide an additional $5 million for its upkeep and public engagement.
