Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Basket Makers, Great Smoky National Park

  • wcu_craft_revival-3505.jpg
  • This photographic postcard depicts a man and boy sitting on the porch of a cabin surrounded by the materials for what appears to be white oak split baskets. Several complete baskets rest in the foreground and on the chair at right. That chair also has several handles hung from the front, waiting for incorporation into the work. A bundle of wood strips lie on the porch and a small log has been placed in the center to establish the origin of the basket materials - it is probably white oak. The man holds a piece with the ribs being added, while the boy holds a basket with all the ribs in place and some of the weaving started. This postcard was likely produced for tourists visiting the region around the 1920s to 1930s.