
History Makers Gala
President Bill Clinton suited up on October 7, 2009 for the New York Historical Society History Makers Gala. However, the annual affair largely celebrated the life of another US president, Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln’s shadow was all over guests at the gala, which was held at the New York Historical Society’s swanky Manhattan headquarters. The gala served to inaugurate the first major museum exhibit associating Lincoln with New York City.
President Clinton was there to kick off the Lincoln exhibit with a keynote address. He was also on hand to accept the 2009 History Makers Award from the Society.
This exhibition was the culmination of the NY Historical Society’s yearlong celebration of Lincoln’s birthday bicentenary. The Society first marked that milestone in February with an exhibit of Lincoln’s handwritten documents.
Titled “Lincoln and New York,” the newer exhibit chronicled Abe Lincoln’s Gotham experiences, from his historic campaign speech in Cooper Union to his funeral procession through the city. It came with hundreds of documents, paintings, and artifacts, including the lectern from which the Cooper Union speech was delivered.
Brooks Brothers, Inc. lent the exhibit a faithfully made replica of one of Lincoln’s suits. The former president wore it first at his second inauguration and then on the day of his assassination in 1865.
Costing $2.5 million, the Lincoln exhibit was lead-sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co. Other sponsors included the US Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.
Gala-goers produced anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 to gain entrance to the black-tie gala dinner. They were, in turn, served sumptuous food such as lamb chops coupled with parmesan paves.
Expensive tables were no object to the well-heeled guests, which included Bernard Schwartz, Philip Mirrer-Singer, and Emily Kimball.
Chairing the gala were Stuart Rabin, Patricia Klingenstein, Roger Hertog, Martin Gross, Richard Gilder, Diana Roesch DiMenna, Ravenel Curry III, Judith Roth Berkowitz, and Helen Appel. Lazard Freres & Co. Senior Managing Director Vernon Jordan was honorary chair.
Louise Mirrer, the Society’s president and CEO, attended. Understandably, the gala would benefit her organization’s future exhibits and philanthropic projects.
Two days after the gala, “Lincoln and New York” opened to the general public.

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