Penn Jersey Basketry Guild has undergone several changes since it’s founding 30 years ago.

In 1986, a group of basket enthusiasts and their instructor came together to found the New Jersey Basketweavers. Their goal was to create a place where anyone with an interest in basketry could come together to share knowledge and promote the craft of basketweaving.

The Guild adopted as its logo an original drawing of an antique, white oak, South Jersey basket from the collection of Camela Weldon Potter.

The Guild’s first Annual Meeting started this mission off with a bang. The program featured a lecture and demonstration by Martha Wetherbee and Nate Taylor.

The Guild continued to host instructors from all genres of basketry, introducing members to a greater variety of styles, techniques and historic significance.

By 1993, the Guild having weathered some growing pains, had grown to 150 members. At this time, as a step toward registering the Guild as a non-profit, the name was changed to Basketmakers of New Jersey. Slowly, the Guild continued on the path toward its founders goals.

In 1998, recognizing that 50% of the membership was from Pennsylvania, a new name was chosen to reflect this change. Penn Jersey Basketweavers was born; and in Aug of 1998, was incorporated as Penn-Jersey Basketweavers, Inc.

The Guild continues to work to meet the demands and interests of its members. Old and new members come together sharing experiences and techniques as founder Tina Barrows once said “promoting the oldest and most lasting of crafts”.

And, to paraphrase Sonny & Cher, the weave goes on…