Unseen Witness: Sarah Farmer & The Portsmouth Peace Treaty

In 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt invited peace delegates from Japan and Russia to Portsmouth, New Hampshire to end the Russo-Japanese War—the longest war in modern history up to that time. The delegates met at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to settle their differences. In nearby Eliot, Maine, Sarah Farmer flew the first known peace flag at a place called Green Acre, where social reformers, thinkers, artists, scientists, and religious seekers met to discuss important questions of the day. After 30 days of peace talks, the Portsmouth Peace Treaty was signed, with only men in attendance. But hidden from view, Sarah Farmer was the only woman who observed the dramatic moment of the treaty signing, no doubt aware that she and other local citizens had helped in the peace process. In this creative telling of a true story, fictional characters Rosie and Joshua learn about Sarah Farmer and why she was so passionate about peace.