The American Arts and Crafts movement (ca. 1895-1920) was particularly active in Deerfield, Massachusetts. In an increasingly industrialized era, artisans took their inspiration from this country’s colonial past with a return to handwork such as basketmaking. A 1900 exhibition in town included willow baskets made by Eastern European farm workers living in Deerfield. They were continuing a traditional craft done by men in their home country. In “Handicrafts in Old Deerfield” it was reported that “These baskets were strong and pleasing in color and shape, and were eagerly picked up by buyers.” Two American-born Deerfield men took up the craft, probably having learned it from local immigrant farmworkers. The basket shown here was made by one of these men, Franklin Thorn.