Garland’s Heritage Crossing is excited to present MUMENTOUS: Football, Glue Guns, Moms and a Super-Sized High School Tradition Born Deep in the Heart of Texas, a traveling exhibit hosted in partnership with the Texas Lakes Trail Region. The exhibit explores a unique and ubiquitous aspect of Texas history and culture found in the traditions that surround high school homecoming mums.
MUMENTOUS runs from Aug.10 through Oct.12 at Garland City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St. Other FREE events that will coincide with the exhibit include mum and garter-making clinics, homecoming film series, book signing by author Amy Schultz and more. Go to VisitGarlandTX.com for a detailed look at all of the events.
“The Texas Lakes Trail is thrilled to co-host MUMENTOUS with Garland Heritage Crossing as part of our collection of traveling exhibits,” said Jill Campbell Jordan, Executive Director of Texas Lakes Trail. “There is just something about this exhibit that inspires people to share memories of their high school years. That is what I love the most about it: the shared experience.”
MUMENTOUS explores the evolution of Texas high school homecoming mums from their humble beginnings in the 1920s through today’s highly varied practices. The exhibit’s photography and narratives touch on a number of topics including the emergence of high school football, fan and pop culture, the DIY movement, entrepreneurship and women as tradition-keepers. Also on exhibit will be mums rom all seven Garland Independent School District high schools, local high school memorabilia and photos from the Garland Landmark Museum Archive.
“This is an exhibit for all Texans, native and transplant,” said Kim Nurmi, Heritage Crossing Manager. “Those born and raised will enjoy a deep dive into their own high school traditions and those who came to Texas later in life will finally be able to understand the why of homecoming mums!”
MUMENTOUS is a special collaboration among Texas Lakes Trail Region, author Amy J. Schultz and the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries Special Collections, with sponsorship from the Arlington Museum of Art. The exhibit is based on research for Schultz’s 2023 book published by Atmosphere Press, titled “MUMENTOUS: Original Photos and Mostly True Stories About Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Super-Sized High School Tradition That Was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.”
“While the mum is a stunning visual in and of itself, it’s the evolution of the mum tradition that really makes it come to life,” said Schultz. “Throughout my research, including interviews with Texans from across the state, I discovered just how powerful, funny, personal and utterly relatable mums can be. This is particularly true when you look at mums through the lenses of the kids who wear them, the schools and towns that provide the platform for the tradition, and the women who protect and defend it.”
Before your visit, flip through your photos and yearbooks, put on your letter jacket and maybe even pull your mum out of storage, then take a trip down memory lane with friends and family at MUMENTOUS, open through Oct. 12 at Garland City Hall.
About Garland Heritage Crossing
Heritage Crossing preserves the history of the city of Garland and creates history programming through a partnership with Garland Landmark Society for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
About Texas Heritage Trails Program
The Texas Heritage Trails Program is the Texas Historical Commission’s award-winning heritage tourism initiative. One of the 10 Heritage Trail Regions, the Texas Lakes Trail Region includes 31 counties in North Central Texas. The Lakes Trail is an economic development initiative that encourages communities, heritage regions and the state to partner and promote Texas’ historical and cultural resources.
About the Book, “MUMENTOUS”
“MUMENTOUS” is a 178-page hardbound book perfect for holiday gift-giving and, of course, during homecoming! Visit mumentousbook.com to learn more, read independent reviews and find out where to purchase the book.
Photo courtesy of Amy Schultz. Information provided by city of Garland.