Phil Brown

Phil Brown is former Editor of the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer news magazine and an energetic outdoorsman often found hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, trail running, and backcountry skiing. He is the author of Adirondack Paddling: 60 Great Flatwater Adventures, which he co-published with the Adirondack Mountain Club, and the editor of Bob Marshall in the Adirondacks, an anthology of Marshall’s writings. Visit Lost Pond Press for more information.

Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Back To School at Syracuse University

September 12, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This week she returns to Syracuse to begin her senior year.

Monday, September 14

Packed most of the morning except when I drove with mother to Mrs. Barrett’s after my gray skirt and downstreet to get some gloves. Uncle George came up to dinner and I made tomato soup. Said good-bye to the people which was very hard. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Back To School at Syracuse University

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Good-Bye To Summer

September 5, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This is her last week in Adams before returning to the university.

Monday, September 7

Labor Day! Woke up at six, both Edna [her sister] and I. Helped Edna pack, dusted the parlor and dining room and swept our room. I did not help with the dinner work but went down with Alma and Edith to see the Field Day crowd and races. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Good-Bye To Summer

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Leaving Henderson Harbor

August 29, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County, NY. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. In these entries, her family leaves the summer cottage on Henderson Harbor and returns to Adams.

Monday, August 31

Sarah came over before we had finished breakfast. Mother went home, taking some of the camp truck with her. Wrote up receipts, read White Fang. Mr. Waite and father pitched quoits, father winning. Mr. Waite won in the P.M., however. All but Della went in bathing. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Leaving Henderson Harbor

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: A Picnic at Chaumont

August 22, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, August 24

Ironed the napkins and a white waist which I had washed when I first came down. While Edna [her sister] went in bathing I got the dinner, making corn muffins. In the P.M. Winston Phelps came over to spend a few days with the Dunmores and was over to play croquet with us and Grace Huson. Russell, Della and I got the supper. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: A Picnic at Chaumont

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Adams and Henderson Harbor

August 15, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, August 17

I collected the laundry while Edna [her sister] got breakfast. Father took us across [Henderson Harbor] at 8:30 and we waited at Snow’s for Mrs. Rice with whom we rode to Adams. Found mother very tired and Mrs. C. better. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Adams and Henderson Harbor

Summer Games in 1908 New York

August 8, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, August 10

Father left about nine, driving home Clayton and Mr. Cooper’s livery. Made a salad dressing, washed. Russell helped us change the couch to the porch and the cot to the front room. [Read more…] about Summer Games in 1908 New York

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Jefferson County Summer

August 1, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Jefferson County Summer

1908 Work At The Jefferson County Journal

July 25, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, July 27

Arose early and Edna [her sister] and I started for home at about 9. Very warm as the horse travelled with the wind. On reaching home found Mr. Cooper had slight relapse. After dinner went down to [Jefferson County Journal] office. Copy was scarce for a while. After supper got locale of Edith and Helen and went down with them after the mail. Went into Clark’s. Letter from Harriet this A.M. and proscriptions from Dr. Craton. [Read more…] about 1908 Work At The Jefferson County Journal

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Summer at Henderson Harbor

July 18, 2026 by Phil Brown 2 Comments

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This week she was enjoying summer at Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Summer at Henderson Harbor

A New York State 19-Century Baseball All-Star Team

July 13, 2026 by Phil Brown 2 Comments

Major League Baseball’s annual all-star game (taking place Tuesday in Philly) invariably fosters debates. Who’s the more worthy first-baseman, Vladimer Guerrero Jr. or Ben Rice? Should Aaron Judge be on the roster if he hasn’t played in over a month? Why is Cody Bellinger starting in the outfield over Randy Arozarena?

Baseball fans love arguing these sort of questions every year as the midsummer classic approaches. They lead naturally to questions about who was the greatest of all time. Babe Ruth? Ted Williams? Barry Bonds?

I don’t have the answers, but I would like to recognize a class of players who are often overlooked in these debates: the nineteenth-century greats. [Read more…] about A New York State 19-Century Baseball All-Star Team

1908 Swimming & Summer Reading At Camp

July 11, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, July 13

Father and Edna [her sister] left for Adams about noon. We — mother and I — took up the matting in the hall and mother washed. Put up banners and sewed on Edna’s bathing suit. After lunch we made the acquaintance of little Laura Howard who lives here the year around. [Read more…] about 1908 Swimming & Summer Reading At Camp

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Calling On Friends

July 6, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. In this installment, she is on summer break, spending the days at home in Adams and at the family camp on Henderson Harbor.

Monday, July 6

The day very warm, being almost 90° in the shade. Picked last of the peas this A.M. and served. Made salad dressing after dinner and then went down to office. Came home early and made a chicken salad. Walked up with Alma who had been down to the Harbor. After supper I finished “Lorna Doone.” I liked it immensely. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Calling On Friends

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Georgia Gets Married

June 27, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. She is back in Adams for the summer, working at her father’s weekly newspaper, the Jefferson County Journal, and this week preparing for her friend’s wedding.

Monday, June 29

Worked at [newspaper] office in the morning. Bought towel for Edna [her sister] and collar for me to give Georgia. Post card from Jessie Barnes. In afternoon Edith gave a linen shower for Georgia. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Georgia Gets Married

Mabel Allen’s Diary: Gathering the Silver

June 20, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, June 22

Went down to [newspaper] office and finished sorting the Annuals. In the afternoon Alice and I went out on silver com[mittee] for Alumni banquet. After supper I saw Georgia. Went to a meeting of the decorating com. at Ned Clark’s, then went to Caine’s with Alice and down to Mrs. Landon’s. Thunder shower in evening. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s Diary: Gathering the Silver

Mabel Allen: A 1908 Bridesmaid-To-Be

June 13, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, June 15

Visited with Mary until the driver came for her. Spent most of the morning on darning and sewing on odds and ends. The cavalry went thru today but Louise and I were too late to see them. Folded at the [newspaper] office and then helped Greta Kimball and Mr. Pruyne take back vases from the church. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen: A 1908 Bridesmaid-To-Be

Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Working the Jefferson County Journal

June 6, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976), or Mabel as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. In these entries, she is back in Adams, working on her father’s weekly paper, The Jefferson County Journal.

Monday, June 8

Late for breakfast. Washed dishes alone and dusted. Washed out the white waists and handkerchiefs and frosted Sarah’s cake. After dinner I straightened out the room and went down to the office to fold the Annual [of Jefferson County Journal]. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Working the Jefferson County Journal

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Goodbye to Friends

May 30, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This week she takes her final exams before returning to Adams for the summer.

Monday, June 1

This morning it was so cool that I wore my sweater in the house. Studied Latin. Edith phoned over at noon and wanted me to go walking with her. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Goodbye to Friends

Mabel’s 1908 diary: Latin and Roman History

May 23, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, May 25

The day has been very warm. Went over to the library and studied Roman Hist. most of the morning. After dinner went down with Lu while she had pictures taken and bought mother’s birthday tie. Took Lu into Schrafft’s for lemonade. At 5 went down to a meeting of section in Roman Hist. To-night went up to hear Dr. Bushnell translate Latin poems. The mosquitoes were very thick out of doors. Could not accomplish much studying because it was so warm. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 diary: Latin and Roman History

Mabel’s 1908 Diary: The Wedding Cake Ring

May 16, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, May 18

Excused from math. Letter from Rosina asking Edith and me to dinner. Studied with Helen at Castle grounds. Lost ‘Winter’s Tale’ which I have hunted for all over. Went to ballgame — Syracuse vs. Hamilton — with Katherine Arnold. A slow game, so we did not stay to the finish. Went to sleep for a few minutes and then went over to Myrtle Heath’s. Staid to dinner with her. Went down with Lu to see Miss Sanford about Boys’ Club. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 Diary: The Wedding Cake Ring

Mabel’s 1908 Prom Weekend at Colgate University

May 9, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, May 11

After Trig Helen and I went down on Castle grounds and studied. Saw an oriole and I was so glad. Walked down to have my suit fitted at Bacon & Chappell’s. It was very warm coming back and after dinner I put on my blue Peter Thompson. I like to wear it. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 Prom Weekend at Colgate University

Phil Brown

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