Basket Making
Baskets are one of the oldest human inventions and have served a powerful purpose throughout history. Basket making was one of the common crafts of 19th century life and oystering was a major industry during this period. Baskets were in demand to assist oyster collectors in their foraging. Basketry was predominantly a part-time domestic activity. Most farmers and watermen prepared their own splint and wove as many baskets as they needed on cold, rainy days or evenings of the winter and off-season. As oystering became a major economic activity in the mid-19th century, basketmaking became a full-time enterprise.
