Call Number:

04

Repository:

Mummers Museum

Extent:

1.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1963-1988 (inclusive)

Creator:

McGinnis, Art

Abstract:

The tradition of mummery dates back to the late 17th century, but the parade was first sponsored by the City of Philadelphia in 1901. The Philadelphia New Years Shooters and Mummers Association administers the annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Art McGinnis scrapbooks and club statistics, 1963-1988, consist of scrapbooks and statistical information compiled by McGinnis relating to the Mummers Parade and its participants.

"The tradition of Philadelphia Mummery started in the late 17th century as a continuation of the Old World customs of ushering in the New Year. Mummery in America is as unique to Philadelphia as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. For example, the Swedes were Philadelphia's first settlers. When they came to Tinicum, just outside of Philadelphia, they brought their custom of visiting friends on "Second Day Christmas", December 26. Later they extended their period of celebration to include New Year's Day, and welcomed the New Year with masquerades and parades of noisy revelers. Most people carried firearms for protection in those early days of the [colony], and it did not take long before pistols and muskets joined with bells and noisemakers to create the sound of a New Year. Those who "shot in" the New Year became New Year's Shooters, and thus the name much later evolved to officially become the New Year's Shooters and Mummers Association. Groups would travel from house to house, sing songs, and perform dances -- all to be rewarded with food and drink.

"By the 1870's, what had been an uncoordinated group of neighborhood celebrations turned into an area-wide parade with two main groups of participants: Fancy Dress and Comic clubs. The City of Philadelphia finally sponsored and organized the first official Mummers Parade on January 1, 1901.

"The Philadelphia Mummers of today [2012] total over 10,000 marchers. The parade is still held on New Year's Day, with four distinct divisions: Comic, Fancy, Fancy Brigade and String Band. Comic division clubs lampoon modern day local and national political and social themes. The Fancy division clubs wear large, ornate costumes, carrying back pieces and performing with floats and props. The Fancy Brigade division clubs also wear large, ornate costumes, and perform intricate dances and drills with elaborate props... The String Band division clubs not only wear elaborate costumes like the Fancy and Fancy Brigade divisions, but also drill and perform playing musical instruments."

Bibliography:

Quoted material from: Coper, Steve. "History." Accessed February 27, 2012. http://phillymummers.com/history.htm

This collection is comprised of statistical information and four scrapbooks compiled by Art McGinnis, all relating to the Mummers Parade. McGinnis's data cover: Mummers club facts and statistics up to 1985; String Band line-ups with themes, 1951-1984; Fancy division winners, 1959-1982; Comic division winners, 1959-1982; Fancy brigade prize listings, 1910-1986; Fancy brigade line-ups and prize listings, 1959-1986; and lists of officers by division, 1938-1983. The four scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and photocopies of photographs, dating from 1963 to 1988.