Summary of Mummery

Summary of Mummery by artist Robert Bruce Bullock was located in the Pennsport neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This mural is located near the spot where the city’s New Year’s celebrations began in the 1700s. It celebrates Philadelphia’s famous Mummers who hold their annual parade (including ca. 15,000 Mummers) on New Year’s Day.

The four Mummer divisions are represented:

-Clown = Comic Division. Umbrella pays tribute to the division’s largest club, the Froggy Carr Club

-Blue frame suit with snowmen = Fancy Division. The suit is an actual costume called “Winter Wonderland” which has won several parade awards

-African-style mask = Fancy Brigade Division, known for its creative performances

-Banjo player = String Division which can always be counted on for energetic renditions of the parade’s theme song, “Golden Slippers”

The Mummer’s Museum is located nearby at 1100 South 2nd Street.

Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location (covered by construction in 2011).