Historic New Orleans Collection celebrates six decades of preserving history

Written By Alicia Vial

Commemorative celebration, “Cheers to 60 Years!” will be held Oct. 29

NEW ORLEANS – The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) proudly announces its upcoming milestone celebration, “Cheers to 60 Years!,” marking six decades of dedicated service as a museum, research center, publisher and cultural institution. Established in 1966 by General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, HNOC has grown from a private collection into a cornerstone of historical preservation, housing the world's largest repository of materials related to New Orleans and the Gulf South.

Presented by Ryan Gootee General Contractors, “Cheers to 60 Years!” will take place at HNOC Thursday, Oct. 29 and bring together supporters, historians, community members and lovers of local culture to honor six decades of research, exhibitions and public programming that illuminate the distinct heritage of the region. The event begins with an exclusive patron party at 6 p.m. followed by the main celebration at 7 p.m. featuring cocktails and cuisine from New Orleans’ favorite restaurants, live music and a silent auction. Tickets start at $125.

“From our founding in the French Quarter to our continued expansion and community partnerships, everything we do is driven by a deep commitment to preserving our past for current and future generations," said Daniel Hammer, president and CEO of HNOC. "For 60 years, we've served as a vital home for the history, culture and traditions that make New Orleans and the Gulf South so special. ‘Cheers to 60 Years!’ is both a celebration of how far we have come and a toast to the vibrant future of our city’s cultural landscape.” 

Headquartered in the French Quarter across a historic complex on Royal Street and the Williams Research Center on Chartres Street, HNOC maintains a sprawling campus of 14 properties dedicated to keeping local history alive and accessible.

With more than 100,000 visitors last year alone, the institution has welcomed countless students, researchers, residents and visitors through its doors over the last 60 years, offering free access to museum exhibitions, rare manuscripts, expansive photography collections and public programs that champion diverse perspectives and foster community dialogue.

This diamond anniversary underscores a remarkable era of modern evolution and growth. Since opening their museum complex at 520 Royal St. in 2019, HNOC has continually pushed the envelope with award-winning exhibitions tackling complex historical narratives while deepening collaborative arts partnerships with local musicians and creators to celebrate the living culture of the region. HNOC has dynamically expanded its reach by embracing cutting-edge digital modernization, such as the ground-up redesign of the Vieux Carré Survey database to make architectural history instantly accessible to the public. Acting as a preservation powerhouse for the French Quarter, HNOC is the historic neighborhood’s largest nonprofit institutional real-estate holder and recently purchased and renovated the former K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen. Renovations on the flagship 533 Royal St. complex are currently underway.

“Looking back at the last 60 years, it’s extraordinary to see how the Historic New Orleans Collection continues to innovate while staying true to its founding vision,” said Bonnie Boyd, chair of HNOC’s board of directors. “Thanks to the dedication of our staff, donors and our community, we have spent the last five years improving our physical campus, launching award-winning programming about our shared history and making our vast archives more accessible than ever. We are thrilled to invite everyone to join us in raising a glass to this milestone and to the bright future ahead.”

“Cheers to 60 Years!” is made possible with the generous support from Ryan Gootee General Contractors, the HNOC Board of Directors, Gallo Mechanical, JP Morgan Chase, Moses Engineers, A&A Mechanical, NOCCI, CF Private Equity, Christine and Price LeBlanc, Leslie and Hunter Pierson III, Mimi and Claude Schlesinger and Gambel Communications.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets visit hnoc.org. 

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Historic New Orleans Collection:
Home to the world's largest collection of materials related to the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the region's distinctive heritage. Established in 1966 through the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, HNOC functions as a free museum, research center and publisher, spread across more than 14 historic buildings in the heart of the French Quarter. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.                                            

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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