Lincoln museum to sell Marilyn dress to pay loan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The foundation that supports the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, is selling a black dress once owned by movie star Marilyn Monroe to raise funds to repay a loan used to buy artifacts relating to the 16th president and keep the presidential relics available for public viewing.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation is putting nine items up for auction in Las Vegas June 23, including photos of the 1950s movie icon by photographer Arnold Newman, The Chicago Tribune reported . The wool dress could sell for more than $60,000, according to Julien’s Auctions.

Foundation officials hope proceeds from the auction will allow the foundation to avoid selling presidential memorabilia.

The foundation owes about $10 million

The dress once owned by Marilyn Monroe