Symonds, Sarah W.

Sarah W. Symonds (1870-1965) was widely known for her figurines and bas relief plaques of historic sites throughout New England, according to Hurd-Smith in her book, Salem Women's Heritage Trail.

She graduated from Emerson College in Boston and began her artistic modeling career. The bulk of her crafted products were Salem souvenirs and promotional items, including finely detailed casts representing the House of the Seven Gables, the John Ward House, and the Peirce Nichols House. She was a skillful marketer, advertising souvenir mementos for tourists. Symonds opened her first art studio selling small figurines and plaques in the John Ward House. Later she use the "Colonial Model Shop" at 49 Turner Street, across from the House of the Seven Gables. The other outlet was her Colonial Studio, located in the Essex institute's Bray House.

Sarah was part of the large and prosperous Symonds family who Symonds Street in North Salem was named for.

Sarah was a descendant of the 17th-century Salem cabinetmaker John Symonds.

She is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Symonds, Sarah W.

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Greenlawn Cemetery Tour May 2014 booklet & June 2018

Sarah Symonds of Salem Street of Salem blog

Salem Women's Heritage Trail Bonnie H. Smith, p. 51-2

Legendary Locals of Salem Curley, Malcolm, Dionne, p. 34

"The story of Symonds Street" (letters to the editor) Salem News, July 21, 2014, p. 12

"Sarah W. Symonds, widely known artist (obituary) Salem Evening News, May 11, 1965, p. 2