Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Vicky O'Brien.
Administrative Information
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Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Mabel D. Bragdon Travel Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase.
Biographical Information:
Mabel D. Bragdon lived in Boston Massachusetts in 1906 when she kept a journal of a trip to Europe. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Mabel D. Bragdon kept a travel journal when she visited various cities in Europe including Vienna, Austria, Nuremberg, Germany, Paris, France, and Canterbury, England from October 14, 1906 to November 20, 1906. The journal concludes with Bragdon's voyage home to Boston, Massachusetts and is 77 pages in length. For a more detailed description, see folder link below.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- American diaries--Women authors
- Diaries
- Europe--Description and travel
- Women travelers--Diaries
- Women--Diaries
- Women--Travel
Container List
Sample descriptions: October 14, 1906, Nuremberg, Germany: Leaves Vienna a "beautiful, gay and interesting city" for Nuremberg, and also leaves behind Harry, her possible husband. Discusses travel customs on the German frontier. Germans nitpicky on the train and will not even open a window because they are afraid of the air. Guide leads them through Nuremberg. Sees carvings of St. Laurence at a Catholic Church. Describes Nuremberg as impressive because its oldness. Visits an old tower with its "rude stone steps on which we climbed." Visits the prison and sees instruments of torture. Describes the town as having a certain "picturesque-ness quality with its imperishable stone towers." Also notes that people are always eating and drinking and that you can never get away from it. Usual dinner consists of sausage and beer. Describes the "rich wooded hills with the autumn color brilliantly…" Says that all old buildings along the Rhine have been destroyed by the French and "ruins stand on every side." Visits the Castle of Heidelberg, the University and St. Peter's church. Walks around the town, describing the students of the University as "gay and lively." The journal includes a poem by Longfellow on Nuremberg and a picture of Heidelberg. October 17, 1906, Paris, France: Arrives at Paris. Describes the Madeline Cathedral as having "colored marbles statuary and rich paintings." Visits the tomb of Napoleon. Loves the Venus de Milo in the Louvre Museum. Says that you cannot do justice to the Louvre Museum in just two days. Describes art pieces with great enthusiasm and knowledge; loves the Mona Lisa. Visits Versailles, including Marie Antoinette's apartments. Visits many churches including the Church of St. Roch and the Church of St. Etienne de Mont which is her favorite. Describes the churches in detail. Goes to the theater, calling it a "real Parisian show." The journal includes a picture of a man, an Italian postcard and an envelope. November 14, 1906, Canterbury, England: Arrives at Canterbury. Goes to the Cathedral, "as all good pilgrims do." Visits London Tower where she sees the Crown Jewels and visits Westminster Abbey. November 24-December 1, 1906, spends a week at sea from England to Boston: Her activities are mainly playing cards, talking to other passengers and reading. The last page has a postcard of their steamship, the Arabic in Boston.