SANDWICH, MASS.- What started as a way for Nantucket lightship keepers in the 1800s to stave off boredom, isolation, and discomfort—and add to their income—resulted in the creation of baskets long revered by collectors. While the tradition of making Nantucket baskets continues today, the Nantucket Basket exhibit at Heritage combines rare and unique offerings of these signature pieces.

The Heritage Highlights exhibit, which runs through September 7, features a special loan of Nantucket purse baskets supplemented by baskets from the Museum’s collection. Included in the collection are nested sets of Nantucket baskets, which are especially rare and desirable; an oval basket made by Davis Hall, who is thought to have been the first to use an oval shape; friendship baskets created by José Formoso Reyes, who was the first to make the now-famous Nantucket lightship purse baskets; lidded baskets; and a rare opportunity to see a Nantucket basket mold and the resulting basket.

Nantucket baskets are characterized by a solid wood bottom, and are woven with rattan caning around carved wood molds. Rattan, a type of climbing palm, was first brought to Nantucket by whalers from their stopovers in the tropical Pacific. After about 1895 there were no more basket makers aboard the lightship, but people continued to make baskets on the island. Baskets were sold to growing numbers of summer tourists and gradually became the signature handbags of Nantucket Island.

Set on 100 stunning acres of gardens, nature trails, and open spaces, Heritage Museums & Gardens is the only place where you can browse through rare works of art, fly through the trees on a zip line, and see iconic antique automobiles all in one day. Explore Hidden Hollow™, an interactive outdoor discovery area for kids of all ages. Take a ride on the vintage carousel. And find your own special spot on the Cape.