Gloucester in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Samuel Sawyer
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2017
1. Samuel Sawyer Marker
Samuel Sawyer was a great Gloucester philanthropist. A very successful ship owner and merchant, Mr. Sawyer donated Gloucester's City Hall clock and bell. He bought up woodlots to preserve the 600-acre Ravenswood Park. He founded the City's first free library, complete with an art gallery filled with personally chosen works from Europe as well as from Cape Ann.
At the library's dedication he said, the "prominent motive or object of my life (is) to do something to promote the best interests of the young… Books are the food of the mind…" Sawyer founded a competition to reward outstanding students at a time when many young people left school to work on the wharves. The Sawyer Medal is still awarded to Gloucester public school students annually and remains a prestigious honor.
Among the library's collections are local oral histories, and the fine art on display includes Fitz Henry Lane paintings. Ravenswood Park is located on scenic Rte 127 in Magnolia and is open to the public.
Erected by Gloucester Harborwalk. (Marker Number 31.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education.
Location. 42° 36.825′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reverend John Rogers (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gloucester Spanish American War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Rocky Neck (about 700 feet away); Charles Heberle (about 800 feet away); Cape Ann Granite (approx. 0.2 miles away); Salting Fish (approx. 0.2 miles away); Admiralty Anchor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain Howard Blackburn (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester.
More about this marker. Marker is a composite plaque mounted on a 4-foot tall granite pedestal.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Gloucester Harborwalk
Also see . . . Gloucester HarborWalk. Wikipedia homepage (Submitted on November 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2017
2. Marker detail: Samuel Sawyer Medal
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 15, 2021
3. Sawyer Medal tradition continues - 2015 winners
Wicker Local Gloucester website entry:
Philanthropist Samuel Sawyer left $3,000 in his will when he died in 1889, stating it should be used by the School Committee to provide medals “to be awarded to meritorious scholars in the High and Grammar Schools - courtesy and exemplary conduct to be considered.” His wishes were carried out once again Wednesday night as the Gloucester School Committee presented 19 Sawyer Medals to the top students in their class who had not received one previously.
Click for more information.
Philanthropist Samuel Sawyer left $3,000 in his will when he died in 1889, stating it should be used by the School Committee to provide medals “to be awarded to meritorious scholars in the High and Grammar Schools - courtesy and exemplary conduct to be considered.” His wishes were carried out once again Wednesday night as the Gloucester School Committee presented 19 Sawyer Medals to the top students in their class who had not received one previously.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2017
4. Samuel Sawyer Marker (tall view; Sawyer Free Library in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2017
5. Sawyer Free Library
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2017
6. Sawyer Free Library (newer building adjacent to original Saunders House seen at left)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
