Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cultural Heritage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Moody Museum board reports visitor gains, facilities work and $100,000 fundraising goal for statue
Summary
The Moody Museum advisory board reported visitor growth, completed repairs and a $100,000 fundraising effort for a bronze Governor Dan Moody statue; the council received the update 4-0.
The Taylor City Council received a report from the Moody Museum advisory board Thursday detailing visitor trends, recent repairs and ongoing fundraising for a bronze statue of Governor Dan Moody.
Board representatives told council the museum had roughly 400 visitors during the year the board reviewed, including tourists and groups brought to the site by local organizations. The board said it hired its first part‑time docent last year (April–October), which increased weekend openings and visitor numbers; a new docent, a Taylor native and retired teacher, began work in February.
“We had people almost every weekend when he was there and they're open we're open Fridays and Saturdays when we have a docent. And, overall, our visitor numbers this year were around 400 people,” the board presenter said.
Facility repairs completed with city assistance included security camera installation, replacement of an elevator cable, porch repairs, threshold replacements, rewiring of a living‑room light fixture, additional concrete for driveway accessibility and painting of the kitchen and back entrance. The board said the Friends of the Moody contributed about $23,000 to install internal storm windows that improved humidity control and prevented damage after a separate window was broken.
Board members identified a list of remaining needs: exterior repainting; construction of a retention wall on the west side of the property to address erosion that threatens a large oak tree; gutter replacement; irrigation line repairs; and a concrete pad and mailbox to stop mail being left on the front porch.
The Friends of the Moody are fundraising for a life‑size bronze statue of Governor Dan Moody to be installed on the museum lawn and timed to be unveiled during Taylor’s sesquicentennial next year. The board said the statue project is “about a hundred thousand dollar investment” and that the city is seeking bids for the foundation work while the Friends sell commemorative bricks and collect donations.
Council member praise and questions followed the presentation; a motion to receive the Moody Museum advisory board update passed 4-0.
The board also described exhibit programming including a recent Olympic exhibit, a Black history display, partnerships with the Taylor Garden Club and Samsung interns for grounds work, plans for a Taylor City history room, and resumed educational talks planned for June.
