This undated photograph shows a Cherokee basket maker, Maggie Ben, making white oak splits to be used in a basket. White oak was known to make very sturdy baskets that were useful for gathering fruits and vegetables from the field or garden,…
Cherokee basket weaver Martha Ross is shown here holding a miniature white oak basket. Martha Lossiah Ross (b. 1931) was born and raised in Big Cove, a remote section of the Qualla Boundary near Cherokee, North Carolina. Her mother, Charlotte…
This is a photograph by Vivienne Roberts of Maude French Welch (1894-1953), a Cherokee potter who was born near Cooper's Creek in the Bird Town section of the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. Mrs. Welch's pottery was formed and carved…
This undated photograph was taken while Maude Welch was making pottery on the porch of her home. Maude French Welch (1894-1953) was born near Cooper's Creek in the Birdtown section of the Qualla Boundary. Her pottery was formed entirely by hand and…
This photograph was taken while Maude Welch was demonstrating pottery at the 1949 Craftsman's Fair of the Southern Highlands. Maude French Welch (1894-1953) was born near Cooper's Creek in the Birdtown section of the Qualla Boundary. Her pottery…
This photograph was taken at the home of Will West Long (1870-1947) when he was interviewed in December of 1946 by W. N. Fenton and Lester Hargrett. At their request, Long demonstrated the making of a traditional wooden Cherokee dance mask. Long…
This undated postcard shows a photograph of Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc., an artisan cooperative established in 1946. Such postcards and photographs were distributed to promote the sales of craft items as more tourists came to the western…
This Indian Arts and Crafts Board photograph is of Cherokee basket weaver Minda Wolfe. Minda Hill Sequoyah Wolfe (1897-1983) was part an active basket weaving family. Her sister, Alice Sequoyah Walkingstick demonstrated basketry at the Oconaluftee…
In this photograph by Vivienne Roberts, Cherokee basketmakers Nicey George and her daughter Lucy George Long are shown preparing materials to make baskets. They are in the process of cutting, scraping, and thinning white oak splits or splints into…
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…