The Inner Circle

“Old friends is always best, ‘less you can catch a new one that’s fit to make an old one out of,” remarks Jewett’s iconic character Almira Todd in The Country of the Pointed Firs (XII. “A Strange Sail”)

For Sarah Orne Jewett, her friendships, particularly those with close female bonds, were of central importance in her life. Evidence of Jewett’s devotion to her friends is found throughout her South Berwick home in photographs and collection items. The guest bedroom, located on the second floor, contains several collection pieces that were from, given to, or about Sarah’s friends.

Friendship was a strong and recurring theme in Sarah Orne Jewett’s work.