Community Christmas Tree

Sarah Orne Jewett seems to have enjoyed the celebration of Christmas, the giving of presents and the family day. She wrote several Christmas works in this house, including “Patty’s Dull Christmas,” and “The Christmas Guest.” Her youth novel, Betty Leicester’s Christmas, and story, “The Empty Purse,” notable entries in her canon, were written later.

The Jewett family compound is in the center of South Berwick and this photo from 1935 shows its longstanding importance in the community.