Hillwood Museum mounting first-of-its-kind Sea Cloud exhibitionHillwood Museum mounting first-of-its-kind Sea Cloud exhibition

'The original Sea Cloud embodies all that was so remarkable about Marjorie Merriweather Post,' Hillwood Executive Director Kate Markert said. 'Like her renowned art collection, Sea Cloud was an impeccably crafted work of art, allowing Post to sail the world in luxury for personal travel, social and diplomatic entertainment, and hosting notable guests.

'We look forward to sharing the story of Sea Cloud in the special exhibition and are thrilled that Sea Cloud Cruises is joining us in celebrating this remarkable ship and its many lives.'

Sea Cloud — a remarkable ship with many lives

'Setting Sail: The Story of Sea Cloud' is scheduled to open one year from today at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, a treasure trove that includes pieces from what was the world's largest private yacht when built for the millionaires Post and her husband E.F. Hutton in 1931.

It went on to serve as a diplomatic yacht in Leningrad, a World War II US Coast Guard vessel — one of the first that carried both black and white officers and sailors, and later as the party boat for the Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo’s playboy son. And that's not all. 

Curator will research and lecture on board

In preparation for the February 2025 exhibition Hillwood Curator Thomas Wu will sail aboard the 64-passenger Sea Cloud's July 19 Athens to Venice cruise, cataloging artifacts, reviewing documents and hosting a special lecture.

This is Hillwood's first Sea Cloud exhibit, Wu told Seatrade Cruise News during a Wednesday night gala at the museum. Hillwood archives contain materials related to the yacht's design and construction, photographs of the original interiors, furniture, art objects and tablewares. Beyond this, Wu has researched with the Coast Guard about Sea Cloud's military service and role in desegregation and obtained photos of life on board during wartime.

Some objects at Hillwood are from Sea Cloud but are blended in with the permanent collection. The special exhibition will be the first time items are brought together in a cohesive presentation about the yacht.

This display contains just a few of the objects in the Hillwood collection that were originally aboard Sea Cloud

Appeal to a broad audience

'Sea Cloud was a major part of Marjorie Merriweather Post's life,' Wu said. 'She sailed extensively in the 1930s and also in the 1940s, after the war. And Sea Cloud has spanned quite a bit of time and seen a lot of history.

'My hope is that this exhibition will appeal to a broad audience, not only those who are already interested in Hillwood and Marjorie Post but those interested in sailing and yachts and World War II history and American history. It touches on so many topics.'

Long-term partnership

Sea Cloud Cruises North America President Mirell Reyes was on hand at Wednesday night's Hillwood gala, where a donated cruise served as the high-cachet item in an auction to benefit the museum.

'It was important for us to give back and also build a partnership with Hillwood that is ongoing,' Reyes said. 'I see this as long-term, over the next years bringing people on board and bringing the history and origin of our product to life.

'There's one thing we have that others don't — the history of the original Sea Cloud and that all goes back to Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1931,' Reyes continued, noting that the original cabins of Post, E.F. Hutton and their daughter Dina Merrill are in particularly great demand. 

Sea Cloud Spirit exhibition preview

In addition to Wu's lecture aboard the vintage vessel, Hillwood Deputy Director and Chief Curator Wilfried Zeisler will join the 132-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit's St. Maarten to Curaçao cruise Feb. 1 next year to preview the Sea Cloud exhibition.

Wilfried Zeisler will join Sea Cloud Spirit's Feb. 1 Caribbean cruise next year to preview the Sea Cloud exhibition