Snake River Fur Post to Host Basket Making Demonstration

Pine City, Minn. (June 24, 2024) – The fur trade played a crucial role in shaping the modern history of Minnesota. By the early 18th century, it was firmly established as one of the region’s most prominent industries, meaning goods from all over the world passed through the Snake River Fur Post.

To transport items to and from the fur post, traders needed lightweight, yet durable shipping containers. They chose baskets, and guests can learn how they were constructed on July 5 and 6. Local expert basket weaver Jacki Bedworth will showcase how these containers were made using techniques from the 1700s.

Bedworth will weave a large wickerwork shipping container from long, flexible willow rods called withies. It will feature design considerations that were common for the time period including rounded ends to better fit in canoes and interior dividers to keep bottles and food supplies upright and secure during long voyages.

With more than two decades of basket weaving experience, Bedworth will share her knowledge of traditional willow basketry and historic basket styles with visitors. In 2022, she retired from the Snake River Fur Post after 16 years with the Minnesota Historical Society.

When:
Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6, 2024
10 am–noon and 1 pm–3 pm both days

Where:
Snake River Fur Post
12551 Voyageur Lane Pine City, MN 55063

Cost:
Included with regular site admission

For more information, visit mnhs.org/furpost.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.