PORT TOWNSEND — More than 300 people visited the Jefferson County Museum’s exhibit of historic Native American baskets on opening day Saturday, said the county historical society’s executive director.
Visitors not only toured the exhibit of 12 baskets at the museum at 540 Water St., but also worked with their own in a demonstration workshop led by members of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, said Bill Tennent, director of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
Lucinda Eubank, who donated the basket collection to the museum, cut the ribbon for the exhibit, which opened the same day as the Bridge Opening Bash celebrating the reopening of the Hood Canal Bridge after its east half was replaced.
The baskets were collected by Eubanks’ grandmother, Lucinda Hastings, between 1852 and 1894. Hastings was the wife of one of Port Townsend’s founders, Loren B. Hastings.
The collection includes work by Makah, Jamestown S’Klallam, Aleut, Coast Salish and possibly Tsimshian, Haida or Tlinget basket makers.
Elaine Grinnell, Kathy Duncan and other members of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe led a hands-on basket-weaving workshop.
Grinnell told traditional tales in a storytelling session.
