ArtDuckO: Waterfowl Culture in North Carolina

Ducks and other waterfowl are as much a part of North Carolina history as tobacco and NASCAR. For centuries, they have provided a traditional food source and livelihood for North Carolinians.

On March 21, 2008, the N.C. Museum of History will open a 8,000-square-foot exhibit presenting a captivating and multifaceted look at these feathered friends. ArtDuckO: Waterfowl Culture in North Carolina will showcase vintage decoys, Audubon prints, artifacts and images that tell the story of how ducks and other waterfowl have affected our history and culture.

Visitors can explore the state’s coastal life through environmental settings, engaging interactives, and audio and video components. All ages will enjoy searching for “quack facts,” handling decoys, and checking out the virtual shooting gallery in this major exhibit, which will run through Aug. 24, 2008. A sampling of topics highlighted in ArtDuckO follows.

North Carolina Decoy Carvers

Before decoys became popular, hunters tied live ducks to stakes in the water to attract other ducks. In the mid-1800s, craftsmen began to carve decoys from wood. Decoys were considered utilitarian until the 1960s, when Americans began to collect them to decorate their homes. This collecting craze inspired a new generation of decoy carvers to carry on this art tradition.

Market Hunting

Commercial duck hunting became economically viable by the 1850s. Waterfowl was shipped to Boston, New York and Philadelphia and served in fine restaurants. Feathers were desired for pillows and mattresses and ladies’ hats, fans and accessories. In 1914 Tar Heel hunters could expect $3.50 for a dozen mallards.

North Carolina Hunt Clubs

After the Civil War, adventurous sportsmen from the North and other areas discovered the state’s bountiful waterfowl. From 1870 to 1920, more than 100 gunning clubs and lodges were established within a 100-mile radius of Back Bay, Currituck Sound and adjoining marshes.

Audubon and the Outlawing of Market Hunting

In 1902 North Carolina became the third state to organize an Audubon Society chapter. It was also the first southern state to form a wildlife commission to protect most nongame birds and to support the outlawing of market hunting, which went into effect in 1917.

Duck Tales Continue

Many of us remember reading The Ugly Duckling or watching Donald Duck cartoons. See toys, household accessories, and works of art created around classic web-footed characters.

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