10/20/2026
Born on this date in 1909, Alvyk Boyd Cruise was an artist, curator, and preservationist who helped shape the foundation of the Historic New Orleans Collection—before the institution even had a name.
Following an early career as a watercolorist for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s, Cruise was introduced to Kemper and Leila Williams, who hired him to assist in the cataloging and curation of their collection. When HNOC was founded after Leila’s death, he became its first chief curator and executive director. In addition to being the institution’s unofficial godfather, Cruise was equal parts artist and researcher, painting the Vieux Carré with well-researched attention to detail.
During his time with the WPA, Cruise and his life partner, Harold Schilke, purchased a historic Creole cottage at 915–917 St. Ann Street and began a long, loving restoration process. Both Cruise and Schilke delighted in “adding a touch of magic here and there,” as Cruise told Times-Picayune reporter John Pope in a 1978 profile, filling the four-room cottage and service buildings with antiques and Cruise’s own art studio.
In his professional life, Cruise was seen as “aloof, unapproachable, and somewhat shy,” as Pope wrote. Cruise affirmed the characterization, saying that he preferred to have a small group of friends “because I believe you can’t give a lot to a lot of people.” Privately, he and Schilke shared a lifetime together, entertaining friends at their beloved St. Ann Street Creole cottage. (Cruise was a talented home cook, according to one letter from a friend reminiscing about a delicious meal.)
Cruise retired from HNOC in 1974, and Schilke passed away in 1978. Cruise died a decade later, leaving their house and collection of art, antiques, and research to HNOC.
📖 HNOC’s Lydia Blackmore explores the life and work of Boyd Cruise on our First Draft blog. Read the article: https://ow.ly/hhv350ZZvH7
📷 1: Boyd Cruise, ca. 1930. HNOC, 1984.9.8
📷 2: Boyd Cruise and Harold Schilke, 1959. HNOC, bequest of Boyd Cruise and Harold Schilke, 1989.79.343.2
📷 3: Boyd Cruise and Harold Schilke at Albert Lieutaud’s gallery at 531 Royal Street. 1946. HNOC, bequest of Boyd Cruise, 2010.0261.13
📷 4: “Self-Portrait,” 1953, watercolor by Boyd Cruise. HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise, 1980.188 a,b
📷 5: “1032 St. Louis Street New Orleans,” 1950, watercolor by Boyd Cruise. HNOC, L. Kemper and Leila Moore Williams Founders Collection, 1951.3
📷 6: Boyd Cruise, between 1940 and 1959. HNOC, bequest of Boyd Cruise and Harold Schilke, 1989.79.342.1
📷 7: “1303 St. Ann,” 1938, watercolor by Boyd Cruise. HNOC, bequest of Richard Koch, 1971.69.1
📷 8: “Pitcher Plants,” 1951, watercolor by Boyd Cruise. HNOC, bequest of Edwin A. Zelnicker Jr. 1996.76
