Campers Weave Their Way Through History Lessons

By Kendra Bobowick

Kateri Doty’s fingers wove supple strips of wood through thin spokes. Shaded under an awning at the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street this week, she and others made both decorative and functional baskets during the Newtown Historical Society’s history camp running July 23 through July 27.

After churning their own butter Tuesday morning, making baskets in the afternoon, and looking forward to making their own marbles, then mixing a batch of ice cream later in the day, docent Nancy Bochian said, “The kids get so engrossed in what they are doing; they have a sense of accomplishment.” She added, “And they will have things to bring home.”

According to the historical society’s website, history camps “offer great hands-on activities and explore the life of a colonial child living in Newtown back in 1750.” The Matthew Curtiss House dates back to roughly that same year.

Discovering one of the basic principles of weaving, docent Manette Matori said to weaving instructor Amanda O’Shaughnessy, “I didn’t know you needed an odd number of spokes.” With the spokes set in a round base to hold the basket’s weave, the students would then wind a nimble strip over and under the alternating spokes. An even number would prevent the weave from alternating over for one layer, and under for the next.

Trying to figure out how long ago basketweaving dates back, Ms O’Shaughnessy notes: “They disintegrate. You can’t find a really old one; it’s pottery [archeologists find], not baskets.” But she is sure it is “very” old.

Working beads into her design was Susanna Drap, while at the end of the table Gregory Andrew said he was “doing good” with his design. Standing side by side as their spokes wagged and their finger worked the pliant wood were campers Maren Brady, Isaiah Williams, George Sandecox, and Matthew Grenier. Molly Layda brought her basket over to Ms O’Shaughnessy for some advice. Although she had never made a basket before Tuesday’s camp, she said, “It’s pretty easy.” The task took her just a few minutes to learn. Creating a design that broadened from a narrow base, Michaela Cosgriff soon finished her basket.