In 1925, Mildred “Brownie” Schrumpf graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Home Economics, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree. A century later, as we look back on 150 years of UMaine Alumni greatness, we reflect on the enduring impact of a woman whose passion for Maine’s culinary heritage made her a household name across the state.
Born in Readfield Depot in 1903, Brownie’s journey to UMaine began with a 4-H canning contest that ignited her love for food and education. While a student at the University, Brownie was a member of the All Maine Women. After graduation, she served as a 4-H leader and later taught food preparation and camp cookery to forestry students at UMaine. In 1951, she began writing her beloved “Brownie’s Kitchen” column for the Bangor Daily News, a role she held for over four decades.
Brownie’s recipes celebrated the simplicity and heartiness of Maine cuisine. She championed dishes made with local ingredients, often collected from friends and neighbors, and compiled them into cookbooks like The Flavor of Maine and Memories from Brownie’s Kitchen. Her dedication to preserving Maine’s culinary traditions earned her numerous accolades, including the UMaine Alumni Association’s Black Bear Award in 1957 and Pine Tree Emblem Service Award in 1974 (now known as the Suzanne Kay Hart ’68 Alumni Service Award), as well as induction into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 1997.
Beyond her culinary contributions, Brownie was a steadfast supporter of UMaine, serving as class secretary for 40 years. Her extensive collection of recipes, cookbooks, and personal papers is housed in the Raymond H. Fogler Library’s Special Collections, offering a rich resource for those interested in Maine’s food history.
Brownie passed away in 2001 at the age of 98.
As we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Alumni Association, we celebrate Brownie Schrumpf’s legacy—a testament to the enduring power of tradition, community, and the simple joy of a well-cooked meal.
You can explore Brownie’s recipes through the Page Farm and Home Museum’s online collection: umaine.edu/pagefarm/brownies-kitchen.
For a more in-depth look into Brownie’s work, including images of some of her typed notes with handwritten edits for the BDN: https://khronikosum.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/fogler-feature-mildred-brown-and-william-schrumpf-collection/
