Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University Homecoming Week

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Benjamin Cluff began what would become our Homecoming with the establishment of Founders Day in 1891 to remember individuals who had established the academy. The first Founders Day was held 16 October 1891, and quickly became an annual tradition. The first Homecoming was held in the fall of 1930, and was associated with a football game and parade from the very beginning. Founders Day became an integral part of Homecoming, still retaining its purpose of honoring the university’s founders. Homecoming festivities quickly became an important part of the BYU experience and continue to be celebrated today. The remarkable history of Brigham Young University can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives.  The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of the Brigham Young University Homecoming Week.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

• Histories of Brigham Young University
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University Homecoming Week: A sample of the materials that contain information about the BYU Homecoming Week. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
  • UA 908 Women’s Office History, 1975-1982 This collection contains information on the Homecoming Queen pageant that was an important part of early Homecomings.
  • UA 1164 Brigham Young University, 1875-1987 Includes a list of home-coming queens, school songs and traditions, and other statistical and historical information.
  • UA 869 Single Photo file, ca. 1890s-1980s This collection includes photographs of Homecoming parades as well as other campus events.
  • UA 865 Series V Photo Studio Founders Day Homecoming and Homecoming Royalties photographs The series contains photos of campus and student events. Topics include photographs of Homecoming queens and attendants.
  • UA 5398 Brigham Young University Homecoming Queen photographs Collection of photographs and hand-tinted photographs of Brigham Young University Homecoming Queens. Each photograph is 25 by 21 inches in size and documents the Homecoming Queens from the years 1937-1942, 1944-1960, 1964-1975, and 1977-1987.
  • UA 1006 Historical records, 1937-1987 Records of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association. This collection includes periodicals and records of alumni activities including Homecomings and Founder’s Day celebrations from 1968 to 1974 as well as information on other Alumni Association programs.
  • UA 968 Activity files, 1967-1988 Files of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association. This collection contains information on Homecoming events from 1975 to 1981 as well as information on Founders Day events from 1967 to 1979.
  • MSS 6754 Homecoming Parade construction slides This collection contains color slides from the Brigham Young University 1970 Homecoming Parade floats construction.
  • 378.2 A1 no.71 Alumni homecoming banquet Report of the banquet held 13 October 1972.
  • UA 832 Files, 1989-1992 Files of George H. Bowie the Assistant Advancement Vice President and Executive Director of the Alumni Association at Brigham Young University. Correspondence, memoranda, financial records, short publications, handbooks, schedules, manuals, outlines, questionnaires, charts, agendas, calendars, news clippings, maps, programs, photographs concerning BYU 1991 Homecoming, and other office files. Also includes alumni board meeting minutes. Closed to research until 2018 except by permission of University Archivist.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the Brigham Young University Homecoming Week. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.