A string of diamond thefts unfolded at the St. Andrews Heritage Centre over spring break — but this wasn’t your typical crime spree.
The Red River Diamond, a fictional jewel on display at the museum, was repeatedly “stolen” as part of a family-friendly escape room experience hosted by museum staff.
Throughout the week, teams of would-be criminals took part in the Diamond Heist Escape Room. The activity invited groups of two to six people to take on the role of criminals attempting to outwit security and nab the diamond before a 45-minute timer ran out.
The immersive experience was part of the centre’s slate of spring break activities and proved a hit with visitors of all ages.
“We have had outstanding turnouts for all of our escape rooms,” said Emily Airey, manager of the St. Andrews Heritage Centre. She added that each weekend they’ve hosted an event, all time slots have been reserved.
The escape room format was first introduced in March, after a summer 2024 intern pitched it as a way to boost engagement. Since then, the museum has offered a number of themed rooms, including one featuring clues from a ghost gardener and another requiring players to flee a fur trapper’s cabin.
Each escape room gives participants 45 minutes to crack puzzles and unlock the final challenge. The Diamond Heist includes brain teasers like word scrambles, colour-matching, and even decoding hidden messages with a blacklight. Every solved puzzle unlocks a clue to the next step, all building toward the grand finale: stealing the Red River Diamond.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the escape room,” said Airey. “Some of the puzzles are a little challenging, so we recommend participants be eight years or older.”
If the puzzles do pose a challenge, a museum staff member will be in the room to lend a tip or two.
No experience is necessary, and museum staff stay in the room during the heist to offer hints if needed.
The Diamond Heist will return on April 26. Tickets cost $30 per team, and each group can include between two and six people. Everyone who successfully escapes with the diamond wins a free museum tour and a bag of popcorn to celebrate their victory.
Time slots can be reserved online at www.standrewsrectory.ca/events.
