Preservation Resource Center

PRESERVATION IN PRINT APRIL 2007 15
One of two original “steamboat houses” in Holy Cross, PRC’s target neighborhood
since 2002. Holy Cross, located along the river and just over the Industrial Canal from
Bywater, is both a National Register Historic District and a local historic district. PRC’s
Rebuilding Together, Operation Comeback and joint National Trust HOME AGAIN programs
have renovated seven homes in Holy Cross since the City lifted its “look and
leave” policy less than one year ago. We are in the process of totally rehabbing 19
more homes. In addition, PRC owns an additional 11 houses and is working through
the City’s adjudicated property process to acquire 24 properties. Before the storm, PRC
renovated and sold four homes, built two new houses and repaired 104 homes belonging
to elderly and disabled Holy Cross residents.
by Alex Lemann
Dunn and Sonnier Flowers donated their talents to trim PRC’s model steamboat house for
Art in Bloom at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Opening night for the event drew more
than 1,300 people, and thousands more viewed the miniature house while on public display.
PRC was invited to participate in the “Movers and Shakers” category, dedicated this
year to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact toward the
rebuilding of New Orleans since the storm.
View house model and exhibit on Holy Cross neighborhood weekdays at PRC
PRC Honored to Contribute to the
Annual Art in Bloom Celebration
A model of one of
the famed steamboat
houses in the
Holy Cross Historic
District was the focal
point of the PRC
exhibit at the New
Orleans Museum of
Art – a fitting tribute
to the organization’s
commitment to the
neighborhood’s
rebirth.
he PRC participated in this
year’s Art in Bloom as a Mover
Tand Shaker, an honor reserved
for a distinguished group of organizations
who have contributed to the
rebuilding of the city. Art in Bloom, a
five-day event at the New Orleans
Museum of Art sponsored by the museum
and the Garden Study Club of
New Orleans, showcases creative floral
designs from clubs, artists, students and
florists that complement the museum’s
collection. The theme for this year’s
exhibit, Vive la Nouvelle Orleans!, celebrates
the history and rebirth of our
city.
The PRC’s display utilized a beautiful
model constructed by James Edward
Kelty, Sr. of one of the iconic “steamboat
houses” in Holy Cross. Born in
Biloxi in 1921, Kelty spent most of his
life in St. Bernard Parish running his
own construction company. After completing
carpentry school, Kelty apprenticed
with Richard Goodyear, and the
two repaired one of the actual Doullut
steamboat houses, so named because the
Doullut family built the two famous
homes in the early 1900s. Upon his
retirement in 1986, Kelty began building
miniature houses for his grandchildren,
including a scale model of the
steamboat house. In all, Mr. Kelty built
30 miniature houses, many of which
were donated to charity. The steamboat
house seen at Art in Bloom was donated
to a church and school fair in Arabi,
where Marcel Duhe won it in a raffle
and later donated the model to the
Preservation Resource Center.
For the PRC’s display, the model
house was adorned with flowers by
Stephen Sonnier of Dunn and Sonnier.
In addition to the wonderful floral
designs and landscaping, Jackie Derks
of the PRC amassed a collection of
miniature dolls and objects from
around the country. Dolls were loaned
by Doreen Sinnott of Tiny Dolls, Inc.,
one of the foremost makers of miniature
dolls, and by Bonnie Broel, who
operates a superlative dollhouse museum
on the upper floor of her St.
Charles Avenue bridal shop. Other
items were donated or loaned by
House Works, Ltd., Hobby Builders
Supply, and Town Square Miniatures.
“Miniature collecting,” Jackie
Derks says, “is a fascinating hobby, one
that brings you into contact with
skilled artisans all over the world.” The
PRC was thrilled and honored to be
able to present some of those artisans’
fine work at Art in Bloom while also
promoting one of the iconic landmarks
of the Holy Cross neighborhood.
James Edward Kelty, Sr., a retired contractor who has built 30 miniature houses in his
spare time, including the model steamboat house at PRC, actually worked as a carpenter
apprentice repairing one of the steamboat houses.
www.prcno.org