Made from thin, hand-rived splits
of the white oak tree, white oak baskets have always
been part of the central Kentucky landscape. Leona Waddell
was raised in Hart County, learning basketmaking basics
from her mother. From winning first prize at the Hart
County Basketmaking Contest to selling her baskets throughout
the world, Leona Waddell is considered a master by many.
“When I was growing up, we made
baskets to trade for groceries. There were two grocery
stories between where I live and Cub Run where they
would take baskets in trade for groceries and clothing
they had, so that is how we got started. At the time
there were plenty of white |
