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What's In A Name...? How The Peabody Became Known As "The Peabody"
What’s in a name? Why The Peabody Little Rock? Why are The Peabody Little
Rock Ducks named “Peabody?” Is there a specific “Peabody Duck” species? Was
there a Mr., Ms., or Mrs. Peabody?
Once upon a time, long ago, back in 1865 to be precise, a very wealthy
man named Robert Brinkley decided to build a beautiful new hotel in
Memphis, Tennessee. He wanted it to be the finest hotel in the South, an
oasis of elegance and good taste where local gentry, wheelers and dealers
could congregate in comfort to wine and dine on the finest foods and
rarest wines; where their ladies could meet for genteel afternoon tea
in opulent, exquisite surroundings. The hotel was to be named The
Brinkley House Hotel. But just before the official opening of the
hotel in 1869, Mr. Brinkley's best friend, George Peabody, an
international financier and philanthropist, died suddenly in
London, England. Brinkley was devastated by the loss of his dear
friend. Without hesitation, Brinkley decided to commemorate his
friend by changing the name of The Brinkley House Hotel to The
Peabody Hotel. Today, Peabody Hotels, comprising The Peabody
Memphis,The Peabody Orlando and The Peabody Little Rock, all
proudly bear the Peabody name, an extraordinary American whose
generous, enlightened spirit mirrors those of our existing owners
and management.
The History Of "The Ducks"
The twice-daily March of The Peabody Ducks has continued in unbroken
sequence at 11am and 5pm since the tradition began in Memphis almost
70 years ago, at The Peabody Memphis and at The Peabody Orlando, since
November 1, 1986.
Now, The Peabody Little Rock Ducks are marching into history, and into
the hearts and minds of the people of Little Rock and the State of
Arkansas.
Each morning, promptly at 11am, the hotel’s lobby is the scene of a
remarkable ritual. The Peabody Little Rock Ducks leave their Royal
Peabody Duck Palace, and arrive at a location in the lobby, where a
crimson carpet has been laid out on the gleaming marble floor, leading
to the marble fountain which was specially created for them. Three
carpeted steps are in place.
The ducks are accompanied by their Duck Master, who is clad in
scarlet-and-gold trimmed jacket, and carries a brass head duck
cane.
Then, John Philip Souza’s King Cotton March fills the air, the The
Peabody Little Rock Ducks march on their red carpet, climb three
carpeted steps and dive into the fountain waters. They preen and
play here all day, occasionally taking a little nap, and at precisely
5pm, the march is reversed back to the duck palace, where a dinner of
hand-shredded Romaine lettuce, grated (not chopped) carrots, live
worm meals and Peabody Duck Trail Mix, awaits them for an evening
of quiet repose.
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