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 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

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Moving-Up Day’ at Syracuse University

May 2, 2026 by Phil Brown 3 Comments

Monday, May 4

Slept with Christine last night as Fuzzie and Lillian wanted to get up early. Helen and I studied this morning. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Moving-Up Day’ at Syracuse University

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Mixed up’ in Math & Dressmaking

April 25, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, April 27

Awoke early this morning to study math. We had 2 examples on the quiz and I flunked one and I fear, the other. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Mixed up’ in Math & Dressmaking

Back to University: Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary

April 18, 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 Back to University: Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary

Mabel Allen’s 1908 diary: Back Home for Easter

April 11, 2026 by Phil Brown 1 Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In this week’s entries, she and her sister Edna return to their home in Adams, a village in Jefferson County, to celebrate Easter. She recalls the Great Earthquake of 1906.

Monday, April 13

Helen came back after math but we could not do the examples. Edna [Mabel’s visiting sister] went up to French at 12 with Hazel Thomas, so we did not have dinner until one. Katherine Arnold came over to see Edna this afternoon, but she had gone over to stadium with Hazel Thomas. When she came back we went downstreet as Edna had to have her coat fitted. She then bought some Oxfords and we went to the Sterling for supper. Rode back and went up to hear Hugh Black. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 diary: Back Home for Easter

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Walk in the Park

April 4, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In this week’s entries, she takes a walk with a suitor and enjoys a visit from her older sister. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Walk in the Park

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Invitation to Junior Prom

March 28, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In this week’s entries, a suitor visits Syracuse and invites Mabel to the junior prom at his college

Monday, March 30

Slept with Fuzzie in her room. After Helen and I studied math I went down in Fuzzie’s room and (studied math) darned stockings–slightly different. Came home from Latin and found a letter from Herbert Jenkins. Walked downstreet with Grace, Fuzzie, Cassie and Blanche McGelligott. My shoe rubbed and I was pretty tired before I reached home. Met some frat sisters of Cassie who asked us to go to the basketball to-night between juniors & senior women. Cassie would not say a word and I accepted conditionally. The position I did not like to-night. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Invitation to Junior Prom

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Stacking’ the Rooms

March 21, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In this week’s entries Mabel and her friends play college pranks on each other. She also remarks on the laying of the cornerstone of the Archibold Gymnasium and the impending execution of Chester Gillette for murder. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Stacking’ the Rooms

Mabel Allen in Syracuse, 1908: St. Patrick’s Parade, Dancing & Preaching

March 14, 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.

Monday, March 16

Went down early in Fuzzie’s room to study math but there was no light so I crawled into bed with her until the light came on. Put on my new white shirt waist. Math quiz on identities and I flunked about every example. Helen Beattie came back with me to study. Bought some sugar for Isabel to make fudge. Went over to library to write report. In place of Latin, attended a lecture on Sicily by Mr. Emerson. Wrote to Rollin and a birthday letter to Alice. Studied in Lu’s room. The girls filled out my room. Have been to sleep but will write in report now. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen in Syracuse, 1908: St. Patrick’s Parade, Dancing & Preaching

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Math Trouble & A Barn Dance

March 7, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, March 9

Called on in math and managed to make a recitation after much hesitation. Then came home to study. Had a long letter from Betty who is doing Y.W.C.A. work in Sacramento. After dinner Lu, Harriet and I finished the last orange. Went in Isabel’s room after Latin and she told me all about her travels home. Finished Richard Feverel. Lu and I went down to drugstore and bakery. Mailed white goods to mother and bought brown bread. Came back and found Jessie Barnes here. She is much thinner but hopes to come back after sanitarium treatment. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Math Trouble & A Barn Dance

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Arts Experiences at Syracuse University

February 28, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Monday, February 24

Lu and I slept in Grace’s room last night as Cassie had gone home. Fuzzie slept with Lillian. I studied only a few minutes before breakfast but was all right for math as Mr. Pratt cut. Helen Beattie came back and studied Trig and Latin. At four walked with Fuzzie. She afterwards took me in for chocolate.

To-night Lu and I went to recital given by Mr. Mahr, cellist, and Mlle. Hinchey-Harden, vocalist. It was very classical yet I enjoyed it. Started report on part of Venn in Return of the Native. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Arts Experiences at Syracuse University

Phil Brown Visits Jenkins Mountain Open Woods Ski Zone

February 26, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

What a winter it’s been for skiing in the Adirondack woods. With all this snow, it seems as though you can earn your turns just about anywhere. I took advantage of the conditions recently to check out the Jenkins Mountain Open Woods Ski Zone at the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center on land owned by Paul Smith’s College.

A few years ago, I had visited the area in autumn, before snowfall, and found that the ski trails blended so well with the surrounding forest that they were difficult to discern. That’s all well and good, but how do they ski? [Read more…] about Phil Brown Visits Jenkins Mountain Open Woods Ski Zone

Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Art, Trig, and Sweets

February 21, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week.

Monday, February 10

Studied trig most of the morning. Ethel told Mrs. Campbell about the girls’ leaving. Picture of Dora [her older sister] and the youngsters came this afternoon. Appointed scribe in Latin. Walked downstreet with Edith. Went into Schrafft’s. Bought a buckle. Went over to corner with Lu to-night and then returned a book to Emily Palmer. Fuzzie up and studied math. [Read more…] about Mabel’s 1908 Diary: Art, Trig, and Sweets

Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Dutchy’ Turns 22 at Syracuse University

February 14, 2026 by Phil Brown 2 Comments

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In last week’s Mabel had returned to school. This week, she gets a nickname and celebrates her 22nd birthday.

Monday, March 2

The coffee I drank at lunch made me restless and consequently I was ‘all in’ when I got up this A.M. Prof. Pratt cut math. It would be more considerate to let us know when he will be out. Helen came down and studied. Studied Latin in Ethel and Jean’s room. Went up to see Myrtle Heath but found that she had been home ill for a week or more. Went up to Liberal Arts with Harriet while she cashed a check. Ironed and pressed black skirt. Ethel brot me some peanuts. Read. Lu came in and she and Lillian decided on name “Dutchy” for me. Am going to bed early. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: ‘Dutchy’ Turns 22 at Syracuse University

Mabel Allen’s Diary: 1908 at Syracuse University

February 7, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In last week’s entries Mabel had returned to her hometown of Adams in Jefferson County, NY for winter break. This week she returns to school.

Monday, February 17

Studied trig with Helen Beattie. After Latin I walked downstreet with Grace and engaged seats for The Man of the Hour. Asked Lillian who was much pleased to go. We walked down. Sat in orchestra circle but far to the front. The play was a story of graft & political bosses. Orrin Johnson and Frances Ring took the leading parts. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s Diary: 1908 at Syracuse University

Mabel at Syracuse University: A Trip to Foote’s Bookstore, 1908

January 31, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Mabel Allen’s Diary: University Break in Jefferson County, 1908

January 24, 2026 by Phil Brown Leave a Comment

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. Mabel, as she was known, first attended Stanford University and later Syracuse University. In 1908, while at Syracuse, she kept a diary in which she described the joys and travails of college life. Each week throughout the year, New York Almanack is publishing entries from Mabel’s diary.

Monday, January 27

Studied to almost two on Latin. Found I was not at all well prepared. Went with Fuzzie over after chocolate to Hill’s. After math Fuzzie and I studied up in my room. Cold and we bundled up in the bed spread. Jean came down with grip [influenza] this afternoon. [Read more…] about Mabel Allen’s Diary: University Break in Jefferson County, 1908

Phil Brown

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