Sawyer Homestead

The Sawyer Homestead was a wooden Cape-style house with four bays, an offset interior chimney, board siding, and a stone foundation. The structure sat on roughly 33 acres where Maple Street and Rugg Road meet, until it was destroyed in 2007.

The house was built in 1756 by Ezra Sawyer Jr., who later died serving in the American Revolutionary War. The family held the property for more than 250 years until it was destroyed by arson.

This property is connected to Mary Sawyer, who inspired the American children's song "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The place links local rural history with a story known to readers worldwide.

Visitors should know that the original building no longer stands, though a replica now occupies the same location. Access is straightforward from the street intersection, which has been clearly marked since the reconstruction started in 2008.

After the fire, the family decided to build an exact replica of the original house to keep the story alive. This reconstruction demonstrates their commitment to preserving their past despite the destruction.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.43306,-71.73028

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:40