Basket Weaving is nearly extinct

Westfall White Oak Baskets are nearly extinct. In fact, basket weaving is a dying art form. Many of my ancestors who use to make Westfall white oak baskets have long since passed on to glory. Basket weaving goes back several generations in my family. My grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-uncles made white oak baskets to supplement their income. My mother, Elsie (Westfall) Lynn and her sisters & brothers made these white oak baskets as children on the family farm. I’ve heard mom say they had a quota that they had to full fill before being allowed to go play.

Distinct Basket Weaving

My uncle, Everett Westfall, researched the history of the family heritage and found that our family uses a unique method of basket weaving. Those knowledgeable in the art of basket weaving can identify a Westfall White Oak Basket when they see one. Uncle Everett was invited to demonstrate his basket weaving skills at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. The University of Missouri at Columbia has preserved the art form by filming my aunt, Marjorie (Westfall) Prewitt while teaching her nephew, Ronnie Westfall (Uncle Everett’s son) the art of basket making. Ronnie has since past and I have heard that he has passed on his knowledge of basket weaving to his wife and son.

Uses for White Oak Baskets

The sketch at the top is of my grandfather with his baskets all loaded up, ready to peddle his wares. White Oak baskets were an integral part of everyday life in my grandfather’s day. The baskets were usually quite large such as a bushel, peck, or 1/2 peck sizes. These days you will find that the baskets may be much smaller and used more for decorative purposes. I even have one my mother made that is small enough to wear on a chain around my neck. She doesn’t make too many of that size. I do own one that is estimated to be from my grandfather’s era.

Basket Weaving with tools of our Forefathers

These handmade Westfall White Oak Baskets are completely made of white oak. From picking out the perfect size tree, down to each individual split, these unique baskets are made with the tools of our forefathers. After she and my father would cut the perfect tree, it was split into each component of the basket and then woven together to create each unique basket. As you can see, each basket comes with a great history behind its making.  My mother’s health is failing and she isn’t able to make these white oak baskets now, but when she did, she would sign and date each one on the underside of the handle.

PS: To answer the question I know you will ask?..(because it’s been asked of me many times before), NO I have not learned the craft of basket making? YET. It’s one of those things on the proverbial “TO DO LIST”. Mom has given me a few lessons but it’s going to take many, many more!