Lincoln College Soiree celebrates a grand year
Lincoln Heritage Museum recognizes Jean
Gossett and the Bertoni family
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[September 30, 2014]
LINCOLN - Saturday evening the Lincoln
College Grand Soiree was a special occasion. While the annual
fundraiser for the Lincoln Heritage Museum on the Lincoln College
campus is always an elegant affair, this year’s edition marked the
first Soiree since the opening of the new museum into an expanded
space in the new Lincoln Center.
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The museum held its grand opening on April 26 and the response to
the new exhibits and audio visual tour on the second floor has been
phenomenal. Visitors to the museum have been flocking in, well in
excess of expected numbers.
The large crowd at the Grand Soiree was welcomed by LC President
John Blackburn who then turned the proceedings over to Ann Mosely
who served as master of ceremonies. Mosely is the assistant director
of the museum.
Mosely mentioned the large number of central Illinois businesses and
Lincoln Heritage Museum supporters who made the Soiree possible. She
then introduced Ron Keller, director of the LHM.
Keller emphasized the immediate success of the new museum as
evidenced by the number of tourists who are visiting Lincoln and
make the museum their number one reason for stopping in town. Keller
also mentioned the national press coverage of the Lincoln Heritage
Museum that has called it one of the top ten college museums.
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The evening continued with a terrific meal prepared by the Lincoln
College culinary staff and music by the Lincoln College jazz quartet
under the direction of Professor Scott Woger.
![](../images/092914PICS/100_6007_small.JPG)
Jean Gossett, also involved in supporting the arts
and historical activities in Lincoln is dressed from the 19th
Century garb to portray the wife of Judge Stephen Foley. Photo from
2009 LDN archives. Following dinner, President
Blackburn presented Jean Gossett with a lifetime achievement award
for her many hours of volunteer work for the museum and college.
Jean and husband Bill have been longtime supporters of Lincoln
College.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/29/images/ads/current/mksgeneric_lda.png) The museum also received a substantial gift from the estate
of Waldo and Rosalie Bertoni this year. Waldo had served as a
trustee for the college.
![](../images/092914PICS/AWaldo&RosaliBertoni_small.jpg)
Waldo and Rosalie
Bertoni President Blackburn also recognized the Bertoni
family for their support of the Lincoln Heritage Museum including
the recent gift from Waldo Bertoni. Phil and Gini Bertoni received
the president's thanks for their family's support. Gini serves on
the Soiree Committee. Phil and Gini cut the Mary Todd Lincoln's
special cake that was served as dessert.
A live auction of items from locomotive rides to a replica of
Lincoln’s law briefcase to Chicago Symphony seats was held. A silent
auction of many items was held including original art donated by
members of the Lincoln art community including Lee Hahn and Moses
Pinkerton.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/29/images/ads/current/ccaonline_lda050208.png) Ann Mosely told the attendees about some of the special events that
have been planned at the Lincoln Heritage Museum in the coming
months, including a “Living History” night that will be held on
November 14th to celebrate Logan County’s 175th anniversary.
Contact the museum for details on all of the events. The phone
number is 217-735-7399.
Under the glow of candlelight and beautiful decorations, the Lincoln
Center buzzed with excitement during the Grand Soiree. It was clear
that the Grand Soiree volunteer planning committee did an exemplary
job creating the event. It was an evening to remember.
[Curt Fox]
Past publications
Lincoln
Heritage Museum Grand Opening: "Reflections of a life lived"
Keepsake edition
Lincoln College receives extraordinary gift
from the Waldo and Rosalie Bertoni Estate
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