Our Hamptons The Big Duck, and East End Duck Farms with Dr. Susan Van Scoy
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Aug 26, 2024 Dr. Susan Van Scoy, a professor at St. Joseph's University and author on the duck farming industry, shares fascinating insights into the history of duck farming on Long Island. At its peak in the 1950s, 75% of the nation's restaurant ducks came from this region. She discusses the challenges faced by local farmers, including suburbanization and government regulations, which led to the decline of the industry. The iconic Big Duck also features prominently as a symbol of this rich, yet often overlooked, heritage.
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Childhood Duck Dinners
- Esperanza Leon recalled Long Island duck being a common restaurant menu item in her youth.
- This sparked the podcast's discussion on Long Island's duck farming history and The Big Duck.
Big Duck as Postmodern Icon
- Dr. Susan Van Scoy's interest in The Big Duck stemmed from a postmodern architecture class where it was considered an icon.
- The duck's inclusion in Learning from Las Vegas prompted her book on the subject.
Big Duck's Inspiration
- Martin Maurer, the creator of The Big Duck, was inspired by a coffee pot-shaped coffee shop he saw on his honeymoon.
- This led him to build the duck-shaped retail space in 1931.