Lightship Basket Museum Celebrates 10th Anniversary With A Commemorative Exhibit:
May 22, 2009 through October 10, 2009

Each year we offer a new exhibit that is creative and captures the rich history of basket making. This year’s 10th Anniversary exhibit is rich with baskets from the museum’s permanent collection as well as items on loan from a number of extensive private collections. As the museum commemorates its 10th anniversary and reinforces its commitment to promote awareness and appreciation of lightship baskets and their makers, the exhibit is a celebration of the evolution of the art form. Come see how the experts determine the age of a basket by the way it is woven. Let your imagination take hold as you envision the men weaving on lightships to pass the time of many months at sea. See the evolution of the purse from its simplest original form to the elaborate and intricate purses of the present.

Baskets can be used for many purposes and the design, size and style are often a function of the intended use. There are small, delicate sewing baskets along with large, sturdy outdoor work baskets on view. The whimsical is also included with a collection of miniature baskets and ornaments. The creative process has no limits when it comes to weaving as the artists continue to stretch the boundaries with fine examples of weaving beyond baskets to trays and other household and furniture like pieces. And no exhibit would be complete without an array of fine basket making examples from the youth weavers. These young weavers are the future of Nantucket Lightship Basket making; through them, the art form will continue to live and evolve.

See "Events" for more information on all our upcoming programs, demonstrations, classes, and other events.

Registration is now open for our Youth Weaving Program.

Call the office for more information (508-228-1177)