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City of Lincoln
Aldermen discuss future of the Lincoln Heritage Museum
[July 30, 2026]
The future of Lincoln Heritage
Museum, located on the now defunct Lincoln College Campus, was a
topic of discussion Tuesday, July 28th at the Lincoln City Council
Committee of the whole meeting. Discussion began with a review of an
offer made by the college board of trustees earlier this year and
concluded with the topic being tabled for further consideration at
the August 11th Committee of the Whole Meeting, and a possible vote
on August 18th.
At an April meeting of the council, Patrick Doolin, representing the
board of trustees, outlined an offer to the city for the ownership
of the assets within the museum building. The trustees were
proposing all the assets be turned over to the city’s new department
of tourism. He told the council that when the college closed, it was
not completely out of cash. As a result, the trustees were going to
give the city $250,000 to assist in the transition and future
operation of the museum.
This week Mayor Tracy Welch said that the immediate question was
“does the council wish to assume ownership of the artifacts.” He
said if the council is not interested, then there was no need for
further discussion. By nod of head, aldermen indicated to Welch that
the city wants to preserve the assets of the museum.
Alderman Steve Parrott asked for a definition of assets. Welch said
the assets were the contents of the museum including displays and
artifacts currently housed there.
Welch shared that the $250K would
be sufficient to manage the museum for about two years. It was
explained that there is one paid employee and the city, if it kept
the museum where it is, could expect about $3,600 per month in
utilities and maintenance.
He said when the topic came up in April, he mentioned that the
artifacts might be moved to the new Museum of Route 66 basement,
where they could be displayed. However, this week, he said that was
not actually an acceptable solution. He said that there is a very
specific requirement for climate control to preserve the artifacts
and the cost of the appropriate HVAC (heating, ventilation and air
conditioning) system would be enormous.
Welch said the new campus owner, Chase Huston, is willing to lease
the current space to the city so the museum will not have to be
relocated. Doolin confirmed and added that Huston is willing to
offer the city a low cost or even free lease.
Alderman Kevin Bateman supports keeping the museum in its current
location, at least for the time being. He said that at the moment,
the city does not own a building “even close to that structure.” He
concluded that unless the city can build a new museum facility, it
would be best to keep the current location.
Alderwoman Robin McClallen questioned if the climate control for the
museum was really all that expensive and was told that it would be
because of the specifications that would have to be followed for
preserving artifacts.
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Alderman Tim Becke
said the council should remember that the museum does have its
own revenue stream. Doolin was asked about the admission cost
for visitors and said the museum charges $10 per person. It was
mentioned that, while the museum does have visitors, it could
have many more with increased marketing. Welch said that
marketing is a part of City of Lincoln Director of Tourism Scott
McCoy’s job description. He said if the city takes the Lincoln
Heritage Museum, promotion of that location would be included in
McCoy’s marketing strategy.
Doolin told the council that the
museum used to hold fundraising events, and there is an interest in
the return of the annual soiree. He said it was a popular fundraiser
for the year that was discontinued after the September 2021 event.
Doolin reiterated that the trustees had been able to keep the museum
open throughout the dissolution process for the college. However,
once that dissolution is complete, and the property transfers over
to the new owner, the college will not be financially responsible
for the museum. He said that he would like to see the museum remain
open, but if the city does not act before the middle of August,
closure may be the only option.
Parrott asked if the one employee of the museum would become a city
employee or would he (currently Ron Keller) be contracted like
Director of Tourism Scott McCoy. Welch said that was yet to be
determined.
Welch asked about the timeline, and was the city going to have to
make a decision at the next voting session on August 3rd. Doolin
said the trustees needed a decision by early to mid-August. Welch
said that the city could schedule a vote for August 18th, which
would allow three weeks to work on finite details. He said that the
council should discuss the topic again on August 11th and prepare
for a vote.
Becke asked if Doolin could come back with some solid numbers on the
current revenues at the museum. Doolin said he would do so and would
provide information about current known expenses at the museum as
well as an inventory list of the artifacts.
Before moving on to the next topic, Alderman Sam Downs mentioned
that in addition to admission fees and fundraisers, the museum would
also be eligible for grants, noting there have been successful grant
awards in the past.
Doolin told the council that the trustees have a transfer document
drafted that can be reviewed and edited if needed.
The council will resume this topic on August 11th at its committee
of the whole meeting.
[Nila Smith]
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