The Historic New Orleans Collection
Lydia Blackmore is a seasoned curator with extensive experience in decorative arts and American antiques. Since May 2014, Lydia has served as the Curator of Decorative Arts at The Historic New Orleans Collection, where responsibilities include curating and interpreting 3D objects and the 1950s Williams Residence. Prior to this role, Lydia operated as an Independent Researcher with Lydia Blackmore Consulting, focusing on American antiques, particularly in political Americana and 19th-century furniture. Lydia's earlier experiences include fellowship roles at Winterthur Museum and Gardens and a cataloging position at the Classical Institute of the South, along with various internships across esteemed institutions such as the National Museum of American History and the Supreme Court of the U.S. Lydia holds an MA in American Material Culture from the University of Delaware and a BA in History from William & Mary.
The Historic New Orleans Collection
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, collectors of Louisiana materials, established the institution in 1966 to keep their collection intact and available for research and exhibition to the public. Over the 40 years since its founding, The Historic New Orleans Collection has added to its holdings and augmented the physical structures that house them, established ambitious publishing and exhibition schedules, and developed innovative educational programs.