Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Rachel Taylor

  • wcu_cherokee_traditions-595.jp2
  • Rachel Taylor (1922-1981) was born into a family of basket weavers. Her mother was Julia Ann Ned Taylor (1902-1991), an elder and traditional teacher among Cherokee basket weavers. Julia Taylor taught her four daughters how make baskets and all became accomplished in making white oak baskets. Rachel Taylor, the oldest daughter, lived with her mother and made baskets as a team with her youngest sister Dolly (b. 1938). The three Taylor women gathered raw materials, prepared them, and dyed the white oak. Before the advent of craft sales shops, customers came directly to their Birdtown home to purchase baskets. In 1978 the Indian Arts and Crafts Board organized an exhibit of baskets made by the Taylor family that was shown at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual artisan cooperative. The photographer's name is unknown.