Martin Museum | Celebrating Traditions: Mum Making at the Martin

Baylor University is steeped in homecoming traditions, although many have disappeared over time. At the Martin, we'd like to bring back one that Baylor brought to Texas and have a little fun!

What is a mum?

A mum, named after the beautiful chrysanthemums that make up the base of mums, is a fun, school-spirited way of showing support for your football team. Essentially, mums have a mum as the central flower, with ribbons, trinkets, and other fun tidbits attached around the flower. They are often made in your school colors.

Where did the mum come from?

The mum tradition began around 1911 in Missouri, but, as with all things Texas, it became bigger and better at Baylor! The mum came to Texas through Baylor in the 1930s, where the tradition began. It swiftly grew to colleges and high schools all over the state. 

Mums reached their peak not only in popularity but also in size in the 1990s. A quick look through yearbooks shows mums growing larger and larger. You couldn't even see the wearer through all the ribbon at some point!

Photo: 1936 Homecoming Queen, Marguerite Joyce of Baylor, wears a mum pinned to her overcoat. Historical photo courtesy of The Texas Collection, Baylor University.

Revisiting an Old Tradition with a New Generation

Eventually, mums took a back seat to other homecoming traditions, and you don't see them often. But the Martin is changing that!

Join us Tuesday, Oct 22, through Friday, Oct 25, to make your own Baylor Homecoming mum. We have all the supplies you'll need. So come on over and get in the spirit while participating in a BU tradition! Wear these to show your support as we cheer on our Baylor Bears to a Homecoming victory!

Free and open to all Baylor students while supplies last!

Photo: Baylor students with new mums made at the Martin Museum of Art.