Mummering on Trial: Custom and Controversy
Date: Dec 7
2:30 pm
- 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Mummers Festival
In the 1800s, mummers in Newfoundland had a reputation for rowdy and violent behaviour that threw the custom into controversy. Local men regularly appeared in court accused of committing assaults and other offences while disguised as mummers. Commentators hotly debated the custom’s role in society, how it influenced Newfoundland’s reputation in the world, and what should be done about it—the kind of questions that still spark discussion around mummering today!
The Rooms Provincial Archives holds records of more than 30 criminal cases involving mummers, most dating from the 1830s to the 1870s. In this presentation, Joy Fraser explores the stories they tell about the custom and the controversy it created.
This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709)757-8090.
This program is in collaboration with The Mummer’s Festival.
Events & Programs
Voices from the First World War
Join us as we bring history to life through a dramatized reading of original letters and diary entries from the First World War era.
Through the words of soldiers, nurses, and those who remained on the Homefront, this program offers an intimate glimpse into the hopes, fears, and resilience of those who lived through one of the most defining conflicts of the 20th century. These authentic voices—preserved in letters and journals—reveal the deeply human side of war, from the trenches to the hearth.
Cost: $12 plus HST. Free for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.