| If you are a basket enthusiast, you might be interested | | | | James Wyer, and George Washington Ray. These |
| in taking a trip to Nantucket Island, Massachusetts to | | | | men charged $1.50 for smaller baskets and $50.00 for |
| visit the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum. This | | | | a set of eight, which was extremely good money at |
| establishment preserves the history and culture of the | | | | this period of time. |
| Nantucket basket weaving heritage. | | | | After 1900, the sailors ceased to weave these |
| Although the early Indians of Nantucket Island had long | | | | homemade baskets, although people living on the island |
| weaved wooden splint baskets for storage and to | | | | soon picked up the trade. Men such as Clinton Ray |
| gather crops from the fields, this style of basket | | | | and A. D. Williams built up successful basket weaving |
| weaving was adopted by sailors aboard the | | | | businesses. In the late 1940's, Jose Formoso Reyes |
| Nantucket lightships (hence, the name). Beginning in | | | | designed a cane basket that included a carved ivory |
| 1854, these lightships were sea vessels that served as | | | | whale on top and the "Friendship Basket "was born. |
| on-sea lighthouses, anchoring along the shoals and | | | | Originally sold for $15.00, these baskets are the basis |
| ledges along the Nantucket coastline that could prove | | | | for the Nantucket lightship baskets that are available |
| to be disastrous for larger vessels. Being stuck on | | | | today. |
| these ships for tours that could last up to eighteen | | | | The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum was formed |
| months, the crewmen that manned these stationery | | | | after a successful exhibit of these historical baskets |
| vessels took up this form of basket weaving as a | | | | and was funded by all of the Nantucket basket |
| way to pass the time as well as using this talent to | | | | weavers as a way to preserve and pass on the |
| earn extra money. The last lightship was retired in | | | | heritage of their craft. Situated in an older home on the |
| 1973, although the basket weaving trade that was | | | | island, the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum has |
| done by the crews of these ships ended much earlier, | | | | many of the original baskets that were weaved by |
| in the beginning of the twentieth century. | | | | these hardy men so many years ago. The |
| These Nantucket lighthouse baskets were originally | | | | establishment also has a gift shop where you can |
| made of a variety of different materials while rattan | | | | purchase baskets designed in the original style. It also |
| (split cane), that was imported from the South Pacific, | | | | offers classes for youngsters between the ages of |
| was utilized only to repair these items. The sailors soon | | | | eleven and sixteen as a way to keep this basket |
| began to use this material for most of the basket, | | | | weaving tradition alive. These tutorials are free thanks |
| using different materials for the bottom boards, the | | | | to funding from the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation, |
| rims, and the handles. There are no known "sets" of | | | | although there is a $50 charge for supplies. |
| these baskets that were designed before 1860. | | | | If you are interested in basket weaving that is rich in |
| Beginning in the late 19th century, the Nantucket | | | | tradition and history, a visit to the Nantucket Lightship |
| lighthouse baskets had become a flourishing trade. | | | | Basket Museum may well be worth your while. The |
| Some of the best basket makers during this era | | | | building is located at 49 Union Street and you can |
| included Captain Charles Ray, Davis Hall, William | | | | contact the museum by calling 508-228-1177. |
| Appleton, Captain Andrew J. Sandsbury, Captain | | | | |