Weekend, April 4-5 – 1908 University Life: A Young Woman’s Story
Mabel Allen’s 1908 Experiences
at
Syracuse University
Parts 1-4
New York Almanack
Phil Brown
Weekend, April 3-5, 2026
ISSUE #1659
Mabel Allen’s 1908 Arts Experiences at Syracuse University
February 28, 2026 by Phil Brown
Mabel Allen
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, 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.
Tuesday, February 25
After English went down and studied trig with Helen Beattie. Recited in Elocution this P.M. — Robert of Sicily. Came home and found letter from Edna with one from Dora [her older sisters] enclosed.
After dinner, Helen Beattie came. Telephoned [?see insert] to come over as it was her twenty-second birthday. Mine comes soon and I would ward it off for the restlessness each year brings. We went over to Hill’s for hot chocolate and I then walked a piece with her. After tea Lu and I walked. I wentdownstairs and watched the girls get ready for the carnival; then came up and studied until the lights went out.
Wednesday, February 26
In Trig I was called on for some angles which I guessed at and then forgot what I said before I could substitute. Received invitation from Jessie Torrey to attend graduation of nurses from St. Luke’s March 2. From 11 to 12 studied at Helen Beattie’s. Isabel made fudge down in Christine’s room. Leta and I made a raid on rooms for alcohol and at last I bought some of Miss Adams. After supper I went with Lu down to the Boys’ Club on Willow St. There were only a few boys there and only one came into the library. Am going to sleep with Lu until Harriet comes. She has been to a baby party.
Thursday, February 27
Katherine Arnold came home with me after Roman Hist and I persuaded her to stay to dinner. After she left I wrote my report and finished it to-night. Took a warm bath and then wrote theme for Eng. III. Studied well for me — the whole evening until the lights went out. To-day we had ice-cream and suet pudding “both at once.”
Friday, February 28
Studied math early and for once made a decent recitation. Helen Beattie came back and we studied 1 hour in Harriet’s room. Letter from mother. Says they are having a hardwood floor laid in the dining room. After Latin went over to see Katherine. She seemed much stronger.
Found that she never received 
the pot of daffodils I had ordered sent. Went over to the library and read the [?see insert] of The Wayfarers. To-night wrote up Roman Hist notes in Lu’s room. Jean came in. Went to sleep in there. Three of girls have gone home.
Saturday, February 29
Crawled into bed with Harriet and Lu, in spite of Harriet’s neuralgia. After breakfast studied Shakespeare. Straightened credits out with the registrar as I was not catalogued with advanced standing. Eng. VIII conference with Prof. Eaton. Came back and swept and dusted the room. After dinner Lu and I walked and then went downstreet. Bought eatables for a spread; blue and white handkerchief and picture frame. Walked both ways. Late to-night we had a spread in Lu’s room; cocoa and peanut butter sandwiches.
Professor H.A. Eaton
Sunday, March 1
After breakfast, washed fudge, or rather, spread dishes. Went to St. Mary’s Cathedral with Lillian, Harriet and Lu. Lenten regulations were read and I was much interested to hear them. Commenced to storm just after we reached home.
Read Richard Feverell after dinner. Collected material for Harriet to make fudge; took bath and put on blue waist for lunch. Mrs. Campbell joined us in singing afterwards. Miss Stevenson told our fortunes. Wrote letters to-night to the people [her parents] and Edna [her older sister].
Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Math Trouble & A Barn Dance
March 7, 2026 by Phil Brown
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 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.
Tuesday, March 10
Celebrated with coffee and doughnuts this morning. Jean brot my mail up to Shakespeare class; three letters from Edna, Rollin and Earl Dunmore. Studied math at Helen’s. In elocution had to read [????]. After dinner Helen came and we tried to study math and Roman History but could not do either to advantage. Went up to Liberal Arts after tickets for Harvard concert. Miss Minch stopped for me to go down to hear Dr. Hearst speak on Miracles. I was eager to go, but he was not satisfactory, very. Walked home with her and discussed the Doll’s House. Lu & I walked down to drugstore after tea. Julia Marlow in As You Like It to-night.
Wednesday, March 11
Recited in math. I always want to put this down as a red letter day when I happen to be called on for something I know. Helen came back with me. After Latin went over to library and studied on Roman History until after six. Studied math in the evening. Harriet bought a plateful of cookies from Mrs. Campbell. They were not very good. Bea made some tea and I went down and drank some after lights went out. It was good but it kept me awake until after one. Bea and Christine were honored with a private interview because they talk across the way with one of the boys. Lillian is waiting on table in Ethel’s place. I cannot decide about answering the letter. Cassie pledged Alpha Gamma Delta.
Thursday, March 12
No Journal. Roman history quiz. Walked down after dinner a piece with Lu and Harriet who is going to the dentist’s. Stopped in to see Leta. Wrote in her birthday book. Helen came over to study for a math quiz. Afterwards went down in Fuzzie’s room and we lay on bed and talked. Bea came in asked us in to have some of her box; apples and cookies. After supper walked with Lu and Harriet. Studied Latin in Jean’s room. Ethel has gone home. Going to bed early as the tea last night kept me awake. Katherine went home yesterday.
Friday, March 13
Math quiz this morning but I got most terribly mixed. Came back and read the Journal. Mr. Smith cut English. Harriet had a fruit cake sent to her. Isabel made some good nut fudge. Went over to library to read for Shakespeare. Walked home with Miss Briggs with Fuzzie and Christine. After supper we danced and tried the Barn Dance. Went up to Liberal Arts with Lillian and climbed thru window into History seminar. Made fudge–under protestation.
Saturday, March 14
Letter from Father with check for $50 enclosed. He is troubled with rheumatism and was going up to see Dr. White. Studied or at least tried to study Trig down at Helen Beattie’s. Came home and swept the room. Walked with Lu after dinner and then walked downstreet with Jean, Grace Gatchell and Harriet. Took my black skirt to tailor to be mended. I tore it this morning making the bed. Went with the girls to the dentist. Saw [????] at the Five and Ten. Went over and left a note for Myrtle Heath to stay with me to-night. Sewed and started linen collar. Lillian gone away to-night.
Sunday, March 15
Myrtle staid for some time after breakfast and we had music in the parlor. Undressed to take a bath but had to wait for the water to heat. Wrote home and, later, to Mary. Isabel went down after mail and brot me a letter from mother. Thundered and lightened after dinner. Walked down to Harvard concert with Harriet, Lillian and Lu and then went to Vespers. Rode home. After lunch Christine and I went down and popped corn over the furnace. Went in Lu and Harriet’s room to eat it. Have to study Trig to-night.
Mabel Allen in Syracuse, 1908: St. Patrick’s Parade, Dancing & Preaching
March 14, 2026 by Phil Brown
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.
Tuesday, March 17
Late for Trig and had to hand in a blank for the example as time was called. Mrs. Campbell’s clock is about 10 minutes slow. Had a letter from Edna [her sister]. Went down to Helen Beattie’s to study Trig and staid during elocution period as Mrs. Butler is ill. After dinner embroidered on linen collar Myrtle Heath gave me. Helen Beattie came and afterwards I walked downstreet with Jean and bought a pot of tulips for Rita Cooper who is ill at hospital. Saw the St. Patrick’s parade. To-night wrote English report on Richard Feverel. Is not all that satisfactory. For a wonder I studied during entire evening.
Wednesday, March 18
Staid for a conference after Trig. After Eng. went down to Helen’s and studied until 12:30. Dining room was full of men when I ate dinner and the silence was oppressive. In Latin Dr. Bushnell wore a Prince Albert coat. We wondered if he were going to a pink tea. Read Roman history and learned poetry until Lu came at 4:30 for me to go to Vespers. Dr. Coddington spoke on the one besetting sin of each individual. To-night we danced after supper and then studied. I went to sleep but now am wide awake.
Thursday, March 19
After Roman History, I started my long story. Went over to the library early with Lu and wrote most of the afternoon. Came back and studied Latin down in Fuzzie’s room until supper. Danced, finished my Latin and copied my theme until 12 by Mary’s candle.
Prince Albert in his frock coat.
Friday, March 20
Letter from mother telling of Uncle David’s death. The funeral is to be Saturday, but I decided not to go home. She said he died very quietly, as one goes to sleep. I wonder where Cousin Fannie will go. In Latin I had to recite the last verse of the poem. At four I went downstreet with Lu and bought some blue prints, some sandals and material for an underwaist. We bought some peanut candy to eat on the way home. We were quite late for supper. Lu and Harriet came in and I fixed up my Roman history note book. I slept with Lu and Harriet with Cassie as Grace went home.
Saturday, March 21
Alice Jenkin’s birthday. Did not get up until 7:00 and Lu and I came in to awaken Harriet and Cassie who had not heard the rising bell. Had a long letter from Jessie Torrey who has finished her training course and is going out for herself. Studied Latin in Lu’s room and then swept and dusted our room. After dinner cut out a corset cover by Harriet’s and sewed on it most of the afternoon. Also ironed and starched my white waist. The girls went downstreet and Lu bought me some lace. After supper we danced; Lillian and I went down after Florence Signeur to stay all night with Lillian. A beautiful starlight night. I made or started some fudge which Lu finished while I took a bath. Laura sleeping with Cassie to-night. She is down in Bea’s room and Harriet is in here studying by candlelight. Uncle David’s funeral was this afternoon.
Sunday, March 22
Lu and Harriet piled into bed early this morning with Cassie and me. We started about half past nine, the four of us, to hear Rev. Hugh Black at the Fourth Presbyterian. He is wonderful, perfectly wonderful. He is tremendously intense and magnetic in his personality. His theme was our lack of responsibility for consequences. His face was so sad. I could have cried when the service was over and I would have given worlds to have shaken him by the hand. This afternoon he spoke on the Hill. We walked home this morning and heard some song sparrows. To-night we heard the robins and it was so encouraging. Took off heavy underwear.
Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Invitation to Junior Prom
March 28, 2026 by Phil Brown
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.
Tuesday, March 31
After English stopped after [older sister] Edna’s letter and went down to study math with Helen. Recited on “Cuddle Doon” in elocution. Had an Eng. conference and Mr. Smith asked if I cared to run my long theme in the weekly. I told him I was willing. Went down to library with Lu and learned poetry. Afterwards went to Vespers. Had to ride home on account of the rain. After supper danced the barn dance with Christine. Edith and Mrs. Hannahs over to-night. Mrs. H. told me Harriet Nott was to leave town. Lu’s box came to-day and in it were rocks and oatmeal cookies. Saw Mabel Hammond Griggs this afternoon.
Wednesday, April 1
“April Fool.” Recited in math but could not do the traverse function example. Staid afterwards. Prepared for a quiz on poems in Eng. VIII but did not have it. Met Mrs. Hammaker on the Hill. After Latin studied Shakspere. Lillian went over and bought some cookies. Started a letter to Della when Edith phoned for me to meet her and her mother at the Sterling. We had a delicious lunch together and then Edith and I went to the train. We stopped on the way home to look at hats. Went with Lu to Sophomore contest for women. Hazel Thomas received 2nd prize. Poured when we came home, so I took my rain coat and rubbers up to Lillian who ushered. Rooms of Haven Hall girls were stacked. Fooled Lillian this A.M. telling her Fuzzie had been sick.
Thursday, April 2
Cold, especially in this room. Read [Jefferson County] Journal after Roman history. After dinner studied Latin poems in Harriet’s room. Postal card from Rollin saying he would be here tomorrow. At three went down to see Mabel Hammond Griggs who is visiting on Genesee St. Blew and snowed hard. After supper, danced and then studied in Harriet’s room. Went to sleep.
Gaius Valerius Catullus
Friday, April 3
Called on in math, much to my surprise. Helen came down. Discussed Markeim in Eng. III. In Latin we are reading Catullus’ poems. After Latin, studied Shakspere. Put on my gray for supper. Rollin T., who is visiting at the ɸ 𝜅 ψ House called me up and asked me to go to the debate between Wesleyan and Syracuse. Syracuse won and I am so glad because Russel D. sent a card saying they expected to trim Syracuse. Wesleyan’s speakers were readier and smoother.
Saturday, April 4
Letter from mother. Dr. Carter in Eng. read Sheridan’s play by [about?] Mr. Puff, an excellent satire on Shakspere’s dramatic style. Swept the room and studied Latin with Fuzzie. After dinner Rollin came and we walked over to see Rosina and Mr. Scoville. Rosina has a very pleasant home and a dear daughter. On the way home, Rollin asked me for the Junior Prom in May. After supper Lu and I walked. Rollin came over to-night, but I had to make peace with Mrs. C. because it was not calling night. Fooled upstairs.
Sunday, April 5
Of course I awoke at about 6 this morning. Got in bed with Harriet and Lillian went down with Mary and Clara and raised “rough house.” Walked to church with Rollin to Park Presbyterian. After dinner Cassie, Harriet, Lu, Miss Sanford and Helen Beattie and I went down to the Harvard concert. The orchestra played Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony which was fine. Went to Vespers, four of us, and had to ride home as it was raining. Wrote home, to Bina Legg and Herbert & now am going to bed.
Presenting: Conversations in City History
Monday, April 13, 2026, 6:30 pm “Too Good to Get Married: The Life and Photographs of Miss Alice Austen” Author Bonnie Yochelson will discuss with moderator Judith Berdy about how a woman who grew up in the Gilded Age, when the term “lesbian” did not yet exist, challenged the conservative ideals of Staten Island high society. She will explain, as does her book, the role of photography in Alice Austen’s journey of self discovery, embrace of feminism and involvement in a loving lesbian partnership.
Monday, May 11, 2026, 6:30 pm “Rural County, Urban Borough: A History of Queens” When preservationist and author Jeffrey A. Kroessler passed away in 2023, his wife, architect Laura Heim, selected the images for his book and saw it through publication. She has generously agreed to be interviewed on this seminal historical work that charts how politics, industry, transportation, government and real estate interests all shaped New York’s borough of extraordinary ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity.
Monday, June 8, 2026, 6:30 pm “The Killing Fields of East New York” Author Stacy Horn (also writer of “Damnation Island,” about 19th-century Blackwell’s Island) has chronicled how the subprime mortgage scandal of the 1970s and a long history of white-collar crime slowly destroyed the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York. She will share her compelling investigative journalism in a conversation about the area’s fair housing, race, violence and misplaced city priorities.
JUST ADDED:
Monday, September 14, 2026, 6:30 pm “Louis I. Kahn The Last Notebook
Edited By Sue Ann Kahn An intimate record of Kahn’s musings on design, coupled with preparatory drawings of his monumental last project
Published in honor of the 50th anniversary of his death in March 1974, this two-volume set contains a facsimile of the notebook in which Louis Kahn drew and wrote during his last year of life, alongside a second volume of scholarly commentary and transliterations of his musings. Anchored by a magnificent set of preparatory drawings for his monument to Franklin Roosevelt in New York City, the notebook provides an intimate glimpse into private sketches of Kahn’s final projects and his poetic reflections on thematic preoccupations, such as “Silence to Light,” “Form and Design,” “Society of Rooms” and “Desire to Express.” Each volume is in a vellum sleeve and both are housed together in a transparent slipcase.
Born in Estonia, Louis Kahn (1901-74) immigrated with his family to Philadelphia when he was four years old. Kahn received Beaux-Arts training at the University of Pennsylvania, under the French-educated Paul Philippe Cret, and then adopted his own idiosyncratic modernism, which would engender the heterogeneous “Philadelphia school.” His architectural career did not take off until later in life; he attained his first major commission to design Yale University’s Art Gallery in 1951. Upon its completion, Kahn received many international commissions, and he developed a signature style that was monumental, monolithic and transparent in its functionality. He was awarded the AIA Gold Medal and the RIBA Gold Medal.
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