What I learned today at the Moody Museum: Who was Priscilla Draper?
Priscilla F. Draper (1860-1951) was a dedicated educator and civic-minded woman whose legacy left a lasting mark on our community. A longtime mathematics teacher at Taylor High School, Miss Draper influenced generations of students through her commitment to education in the early 20th century.
She was also a founding member of the Sesame Circle, a local women’s literary club established in 1899 with the express purpose of creating a public library Taylor. This group laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Taylor Public Library.
Miss Draper lived for many years with the Moody family while she taught in Taylor and was a good friend to Nannie Robertson Moody, Governor Dan Moody's mother. A lifelong single woman, she devoted herself fully to teaching and community service. Her quiet but meaningful influence can still be felt in Taylor’s educational and cultural institutions today.
Miss Priscilla Draper as pictured in the 1916 Taylor High Yearbook.
Miss Draper is pictured on the porch, the last to the right. This photo was taken around 1900, and it pictures many Taylor teachers who boarded with the Moody family.
The Taylor High School Senior Class of 1916 wrote this lovely poem dedicated to Miss Draper.