Longaberger® Basket History

Basket weaving has been in the Longaberger family for generations. It all began back at the turn of the century, when J.W. Longaberger began weaving baskets for his neighbors and the local potteries in the small northern Ohio town of Dresden. J.W. had learned the art at any early age as an apprentice to his father, Daddy John, who handcrafted baskets for a Dresden basket shop.
Today each and every basket is made the same way J.W. made them....from the same designs and forms, the same pride and dedication to quality. In fact, each basket is signed and dated by the artisan who wove it......making it a unique collectors item.
Longaberger continues to bring you many new and exciting products with their line of Pottery, Woodcraft Dividers and Lids, cloth liners. protectors and home decor items. Today, you will find a fine array of Longaberger products which are functional as well as beautiful. Whether you fill them with fruit, stack them with magazines, or pack them with picnic feasts, you'll find Longaberger products add just the right touch of warmth and charm. And, because they are made with such care, they can be handed down for generations. So, start a new tradition for your family....start your Longaberger collection today!
Here is a brief history on some of Longaberger's original baskets...

Cake Basket Used to take cakes or pies to local socials. Sold by Dave and Grandfather Gist from a pickup truck in the Dresden area.
Small Square Waste Nearly 40 years ago, J.W. was comissioned to make wastebaskets for the Dresden bank. These same baskets are still in use today.
Fruit Baskets Used by local orchards for picking apples, the inverted bottom was designed to help distribute the weight in the basket and to prevent brusing and mashing of fruit in the bottom. It aided in air circulation to keep the fruit from spoiling, and was easier for workers to carry on their heads.
Berry Baskets Originally used for picking berries. The Mini Berry Basket (now known as the Tea Basket) was used to gather eggs from the chicken coop.
Laundry Basket Originally used in bakeries to display fresh bread, these baskets were also used by Grandma Bonnie to carry the children in, or allow them to sleep in, so they could be near her.
Gathering Baskets Farmers used these baskets to gather their fruits and vegetables and carry produce to market where their goods could be displayed. They were also specially made without handles to be used at the local pool to store clothes in while swimming. Several are still in use at the pool today.
Market Baskets Years ago, every family was equiped with a market basket to take to the market. You would see these baskets stacked on the side of the porch, so townspeople could stop by and buy a basket before going to market.
Magazine Baskets During the early 1900's, J.W. created the Bread and Milk Basket for his wife, Bonnie, which is now our Magazine Basket with two swing handles. She could take it to the market and carry two loaves of bread and a bottle of milk.
Key Baskets In old manor homes, a key basket was hung outside the door of each room to hold the large brass or wrought iron keys for that room.
Umbrella Basket These baskets were first used for drying bulbs. Ladies would dig up their gladiola bulbs and keep them in these baskets to dry. Air could circulate freely between the splints, and the wooden bottom kept the bulbs off the floor so rodents couldn't eat them.

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Cake Basket	Used to take cakes or pies to local socials. Sold by Dave and Grandfather Gist from a pickup truck in the Dresden area.
Small Square Waste	Nearly 40 years ago, J.W. was comissioned to make wastebaskets for the Dresden bank. These same baskets are still in use today.
Fruit Baskets	Used by local orchards for picking apples, the inverted bottom was designed to help distribute the weight in the basket and to prevent brusing and mashing of fruit in the bottom. It aided in air circulation to keep the fruit from spoiling, and was easier for workers to carry on their heads.
Berry Baskets	Originally used for picking berries. The Mini Berry Basket (now known as the Tea Basket) was used to gather eggs from the chicken coop.
Laundry Basket	Originally used in bakeries to display fresh bread, these baskets were also used by Grandma Bonnie to carry the children in, or allow them to sleep in, so they could be near her.
Gathering Baskets	Farmers used these baskets to gather their fruits and vegetables and carry produce to market where their goods could be displayed. They were also specially made without handles to be used at the local pool to store clothes in while swimming. Several are still in use at the pool today.
Market Baskets	Years ago, every family was equiped with a market basket to take to the market. You would see these baskets stacked on the side of the porch, so townspeople could stop by and buy a basket before going to market.
Magazine Baskets	During the early 1900's, J.W. created the Bread and Milk Basket for his wife, Bonnie, which is now our Magazine Basket with two swing handles. She could take it to the market and carry two loaves of bread and a bottle of milk.
Key Baskets	In old manor homes, a key basket was hung outside the door of each room to hold the large brass or wrought iron keys for that room.
Umbrella Basket	These baskets were first used for drying bulbs. Ladies would dig up their gladiola bulbs and keep them in these baskets to dry. Air could circulate freely between the splints, and the wooden bottom kept the bulbs off the floor so rodents couldn't eat them.