Waddle this way to one of the most unique experiences one can have in Memphis, Tennessee – the coveted role as the Honorary Duckmaster at the famous Peabody Hotel. I was the honorary Duckmaster in 2003, and it is still one of my fondest memories. Now so many years later, we were ecstatic to learn that the experience is still going strong and that we would be able to relive the experience with our young duck-loving son. Special, unique, and full of webbed feet – there is nothing else quite like this experience. Add this immediately to your family bucket list.
Stepping into History – Exploring the Peabody
The Peabody Hotel is a southern institution renowned for its Southern hospitality and breathtaking style. The only historic hotel in Memphis – it is one to visit to gaze upon its Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. But, aside from the beauty, the Peabody location is everything! The 13 story hotel is In the heart of downtown Memphis, just two blocks from Beale Street, the Rock N Soul Museum, Gibson Guitar Factory, and the famous FedEx Forum Arena.
A Duck Tale – The History of the Peabody Ducks
A duck tale that goes back decades, the Peabody ducks have been famously swimming in the hotel’s lobby for over 80 years. The feathery tradition started in 1933 when General Manager Frank Schutt returned from a weekend hunting trip and thought it would be humorous to leave some of their live duck decoys (which were legal at the time) in the hotel’s lobby fountain. The ducks were a delight to the hotel guests and have been splashing in the fountain every day since. In 1940, Bellman Edward Pembroke, formerly a circus animal trainer, volunteered to care for the ducks and taught them to march into the lobby. The famous Peabody Duck March was born.
The Peabody Duckmaster
The Peabody Duckmaster is a coveted, highly respected position at the hotel. The Duckmaster is not only responsible for the care and well-being of the Peabody Ducks, including feeding and training the duck teams for their daily marches; he is also the hotel’s historian. The Duckmaster conducts hotel history tours, is the keeper of the hotel’s memorabilia, and is the hotel ambassador through media interviews and community appearances. An all-around ambassador to the hotel and the city of Memphis.
At the time of our visit – the Duckmaster was Jimmy Ogle (seen in our pictures). The current Duckmaster is Mr. Walker. Duckmaster Kenon Walker (seen above). Mr. Walker joined The Peabody in 2018 as a VIP Concierge and Assistant Duckmaster, becoming lead Duckmaster in 2020. He is responsible for the care and well-being of the Peabody Ducks, including feeding and training the teams for their twice-daily marches. When not tending to the five North American mallards, he acts as a public ambassador for the hotel, greeting guests in the Grand Lobby, conducting tours, doing media interviews, and making community outreach appearances.
A long list of famous honorary Duckmasters includes Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Swayze, Florence Henderson, Emeril Lagasse, Peter Frampton, Joan Collins, George Hamilton, Molly Ringwald, Gene Simmons, Larry King, Kevin Bacon, and many (many!) more.
An Experience not to Miss
No need to be a celebrity, The Peabody Hotel offers Duckmaster experience packages for your family! You can have yourself, your child, or your whole family up close and aid the Duckmaster with the famous march of the ducks. The “Ducky Day Package” is available for guests. It includes the Honorary Duckmaster experience where you help the Duckmaster parade the Peabody Ducks to/from the Lobby Fountain, an official brass-head Duckmaster Cane, Peabody Duckmaster collectible rubber duck toy, a Duck cookie, and more!
Our duck-loving son couldn’t wait for this honorary event!
Front Row Seat
The family of the Honorary Duckmaster is given a designated table in the Hotel’s lobby so they can easily watch the ceremony. The table is located directly next to the fountain and marked with a sign. The gorgeous atrium, often referred to as “Memphis’s living room,” was filled with onlookers excited to watch the popular event. The standing-room-only crowd watched from both the ground level and the 2nd-floor balcony.
The Peabody Duck Ceremony
Led by the Duckmaster Himself – the short ceremony engages the visitors before the ducks’ march from the fountain to the palace. The ceremony starts with a fascinating history of the ducks and the hotel. Then, the Honorary Duckmaster is called to join the procession and is presented with a certificate and cane.
March of the Ducks
The Peabody Duck March has become a daily tradition that has made the hotel quite famous. At 11 am, the Peabody Ducks march from their rooftop Royal Duck Palace along a red carpet to the grand fountain in the lobby’s center. The ducks splash and play in the fountain until 5 pm when the procession reverses. Then, the ducks march up to the roof and back to the Duck Palace for the evening.
We chose the 5:00 pm march and would be leading the ducks back up to the rooftop Duck Palace.
The ducks consist of five North American mallards. Raised by a local farmer, the ducks do not have individual names, as they are not domesticated and are considered wild. Each team of ducks only live in the hotel for three months before being retired from their Peabody duties, when they are returned to live out the remainder of their days in their natural wild habitat.
A Royal Palace
When the ducks are not in the fountain, they live in their Royal Duck Palace, located on the hotel’s rooftop. The $200,000 structure is made of marble and glass and consists of a space larger than most NYC apartments! The Palace features a fountain decorated with a pair of bronze ducks, a small house for the ducks, which is a scale replica of the hotel, and a grassy “front yard.” In addition, the Palace features a large viewing window, where guests of the hotel and visitors alike can visit the roof and see the famous ducks in their Palace for free.
Peabody Hotel Fun Facts
With such a historic hotel – there is a number of fun facts to tell. Here we share our favorites:
- Out of respect to the hotel’s famous feathery friends – duck is not served anywhere at The Peabody and has not been seen on the hotel’s menus since its 1981 reopening.
- Game On: The Peabody Ducks were included in the 2009 edition of Trivial Pursuit with the question: “What can you find in the fountain at The Peabody Memphis but not on the hotel’s menus?” The hotel was also the subject of a question on the game show Jeopardy in 1994.
- Among the hotel’s notable retailers is Lansky’s at The Peabody. Shop founder Bernard J. Lansky is a legend for being the personal tailor to Elvis Presley, becoming known as the “Clothier to the King.” The store is a must-visit – and is filled with memorabilia and some of the coolest clothing you’ll find in Memphis.
- Singer/Songwriter Neil Diamond wrote one his biggest hits, “Sweet Caroline,” at The Peabody in the late 1960s while recording his album “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show” at American Sound Studio in Memphis.
- The Peabody Marching Ducks have appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Sesame Street, The Oprah Winfrey Show, in People magazine, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- The Peabody served as the setting for several scenes in The Firm, the 1993 film starring Tom Cruise that was based on John Grisham’s best-selling novel of the same name.
Tips for your visit:
- The lobby becomes quite busy – especially on weekends. Plan accordingly, and do your best to arrive very early if possible. The lobby area has limited seating that fills fast.
- Children can sit directly next to the red carpet – just get there 30 minutes or earlier before the area gets roped off.
- Don’t forget to head to the roof to check out the duck palace, as well as the marvelous view of the Memphis skyline.
- Check out the onsite bakery for duck cookies as well as a selection of duck pastries that are sure to delight any craving for an after-march treat.
- The gift store has the largest (and cutest!) selection of duck gifting items you’ll ever see. A must-visit.
- When exiting the hotel to the street – be sure to look down at the sidewalk by your feet! The Peabody’s Duck Walk Hall of Fame was created in 1996 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to downtown Memphis (one of them is our favorite – Elvis!)
- The role of being the Honorary Peabody Duckmaster is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that cannot be missed. Details available HERE. Note: Children must be 5 years of age to participate.
Don’t waddle on by the Peabody Walk of Fame outside!
The Peabody Memphis. 149 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN. Website HERE.
