Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Dolly Taylor

  • wcu_cherokee_traditions-533.jp2
  • This undated photograph, by an unknown photographer, features Cherokee basket weaver Dolly Taylor (b. 1938). Taylor learned to make baskets from her mother, renowned Cherokee basket weaver Julia Ann Ned Taylor (1902-1991). Dolly began to learn basket weaving when she was 10 years old. Her sisters--Rachel Taylor, Sally Taylor Wade, and Pauline Junaluska--were all accomplished basket makers. The Taylor family specialized in white oak baskets, a craft common to the Appalachian mountains. In 1978 the Indian Arts and Crafts Board organized an exhibition, at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual artisan cooperative, that featured baskets made by the entire Taylor family.