Maritime Heritage

Boston Light with Lighthouse Keeper Sally Snowman at SFL on Thursday evening

~ Sawyer Free Library

Guiding Light: The Legacy of Boston Light with Keeper Sally Snowman

📅 Thursday, March 13
🕠 5:30 – 6:30 PM
📍 Sawyer Free Librarya, 21 Main Street, Gloucester

Join the Sawyer Free Free Library for a captivating evening with Sally Snowman, the Keeper of Boston Light, as she shares the rich history and personal stories of America’s first established light station. Since 1716, Boston Light has illuminated the way for mariners entering Boston Harbor, and as the last manned Coast Guard Light Station in the country, it holds a unique place in maritime history.

As the 70th and final keeper, Sally Snowman has spent over two decades maintaining this historic beacon. In this engaging presentation, she will recount her experiences as a 21st-century lighthouse keeper, offering insights from her co-authored books and sharing stunning images from Boston Light’s 307-year history.

🔹 Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org
🔹 Questions? Contact lsvensson@sawyerfreelibrary.org

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from Sally Snowman, Ph.D., educator, author, and historian, as she prepares to retire and close a remarkable chapter in maritime history.

“So Salty” Fun at SFL@21Main Street Saturday, Jan. 21

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join in on the “So Salty” Fun at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester on Saturday, January 21:

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   “Snacks by the Sea with The Open Door”

The Sawyer Free Library and The Open Door will present a cooking demonstration of a salty snack for families. Throughout the day, we will celebrate local food traditions with a display of our historic cookbooks and recipes in the Local History collection. 

1:00 to 2:00 p.m. “Sea Shanties and Maritime Heritage Through Folk Music“

Come listen, sing, engage, and celebrate maritime heritage and community with local musician and teacher Olivia Gale, who was born and raised in Gloucester. Join the fun as Olivia leads an exploration of history, story, and performance of sea shanties, nautical ballads, and other folk music written about the sea.  

Both events are free and open to all ages to come and enjoy!

These Sawyer Free Library events are a part of the 2nd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty Festival taking place throughout Gloucester Saturday, January 21 and Sunday January 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 2nd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival led by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with area cultural institutions and businesses. Inspired by the annual Salem’s So Sweet event, this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.

All events are free and open to the public.

For additional details on the Library events, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.