Crow presents ‘A Century of Ducks’ Oct. 9
The Moody Museum’s renewed “Taylor Talks” series will feature local historian and education veteran Tim Crow spotlighting high school football legends, the cherished waterfowl mascot and banishing a jinx. Crow will present “A Century of Ducks” 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the museum, 114 W. Ninth St.
His lecture is the second in the “Taylor Talks” program, which the museum brought back after a hiatus of several years in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Joe Burgess, president of the Friends of the Moody Museum, kicked off the series in August with “Big Bend Through the Lens of Glenn Burgess,” a book he wrote about his father’s life and photography that primarily featured Big Bend National Park during the 1940s and early 1950s.
“We are revitalizing a program of having monthly events at the museum that will appeal to a variety of audiences,” said Susan Komandosky, chairwoman of the Moody Museum Advisory Board.
The museum is housed in the Victorian-style childhood home of Dan Moody, a Taylor native and the state’s youngest governor who famously challenged the Ku Klux Klan in court in the 1920s.
While many are familiar with Crow’s “A Century of Ducks,” Komandosky and Crow encourage everyone to come hear his updated presentation.
The Mallard duck is the mascot of the Taylor Independent School District and has a long and storied relationship with the city as well. During the 2024-25 academic year, the school district celebrated 100 years of having Drallam — mallard spelled backwards — as its symbol.
“We invited Tim to speak because he is a great storyteller with a wealth of knowledge about Taylor school history. We believe longtime residents as well as newcomers will be able to spend an enjoyable evening at our historic museum and learn something new,” Komandosky said.
“I have been in Taylor most of my life, and I am always learning something new,” added Crow, who retired last year from Taylor ISD after a 40-year career.
Crow said he will add more layers to the familiar story of Taylor High School Coach T.H. Johnson, the rainy season in 1924 with Coach C.R. Drake and the birth of the legend of the ducks.
Crow also will mention the “jinx” believed to have been placed on Taylor by its opponents, how it was overcome and the school pride of that year.
“I hope audience members will feel the excitement that existed in the halls of Taylor High in 1924 when we became Drake’s Ducks,” Crow said.
The Moody Museum will also showcase an exhibit in its front hallway with ties to Crow’s lecture. The display will include old Taylor photos and high school yearbooks and, “of course, a few ducks,” Komandosky said.
Those who can’t attend may view the presentation at youtube. com/@MoodyMuseum. The link can also be found at facebook.com/ MoodyMuseum.
Burgess’s presentation is also available on the YouTube site.
His book can be purchased at Curio Mrvosa Books and More at 114 N. Main St. or online at Amazon. com.
For the museum’s days and hours, visit taylortx.gov/220/Moody-Museum.
Crow also shares his love of history and the Taylor community in his biweekly column carried by the Taylor Press.
