Margie Barden presented a program to the John Lee of Nansemond Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames 17th Century, on the history and making of the sweetgrass baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry. The baskets are handmade of sweet marsh grass, palmetto leaves, palm leaves and pine straw.

The art of this basket-making was brought to America in the 1600s by West Africans. These people were very skilled in raising rice and in the crafting of utilitarian baskets. The weaving is said to be a gift from God. The techniques are learned in childhood and require a great deal of patience and creativity.

The baskets were first used in the growing and processing of rice. Various other uses have evolved to include baskets for bread, uses on farms for harvesting crops, serving baskets, market baskets and decorative baskets. Each basket is unique and very durable. They will last longer than one’s lifetime and can probably be passed down to your grandchildren, Barden noted.