How long is the workshop?

The Intermediate Basket Workshop is approximately five hours long.

What is the cost and how do I book?

The cost is $65.00 per person; book via the supplied referral link or Historic Lewes booking page.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes, the minimum age is 10 years old; classes are suited for older children with adult supervision and for adults.

Are materials provided?

Yes. Historic Lewes provides all necessary supplies to complete your basket; you only need to bring water or a snack if desired.

How large are the classes?

Workshops have a capacity of six participants to keep instruction personalized and hands-on.

learn-to-weave-a-heritage-market-basket-in-lewes | Workshop | History Tour

Q: Where does the class meet?

The workshop meets at the Lewistown Coffee-House, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes, DE 19958, USA.

On a bright morning in Lewes, Delaware, the Intermediate Basket Workshop at the Lewistown Coffee-House (110 Shipcarpenter St.) feels like stepping into a practical chapter of local history. Led by Breanna and an instructor from the Historic Lewes team, this five-hour, small-group class teaches participants how to weave a heritage market basket—an everyday object that once moved goods and stories across 18th- and 19th-century kitchens. The room fills with focused conversation, the scent of coffee from the house, and the quiet rhythm of hands threading materials into shape. The experience is hands-on and deliberate: Historic Lewes supplies every tool and material needed, and each student leaves with a finished market basket and practical weaving knowledge. Classes are limited to six people, which keeps instruction personal and paced to your abilities; the minimum age is ten, making this a rare intergenerational craft session that families and friends can do together. At $65 per person, the workshop balances accessibility with skilled teaching rooted in local practice. Set a few blocks from Delaware Bay and the salt marshes that shape Lewes's shoreline, the workshop connects craft to place. Basket-making here echoes regional maritime and market traditions—containers once used to carry fish and produce now reappear as contemporary keepsakes. That living-history angle makes Historic Lewes more than an instructor; it's a cultural steward keeping material skills visible in a town better known for beaches and lighthouses. Practicalities matter: bring water and a snack or buy something from the Coffee-House menu during breaks; comfortable, washable clothes are wise since finished baskets bear the impression of your hands. Expect a patient tempo and plenty of one-on-one correction—this isn't rush work, it's skill-building. The finished basket is both functional and personal: a souvenir you can use at the farmers' market or hang at home as a reminder of a day spent learning. Beyond the weaving table, plan time to walk Lewes's Historic District or visit nearby Cape Henlopen State Park to watch shorebirds and shifting tides. Whether you come to reconnect with a craft tradition, make a meaningful gift, or simply learn a new manual skill in an intimate setting, the Intermediate Basket Workshop delivers a grounded, locally rooted experience that leaves you with something hand-made and lasting. Participants benefit from Breanna's patient corrections and the Historic Lewes approach that emphasizes technique over speed, so novices and those returning to the craft both find value. The workshop doubles as a social craft session—expect conversation about local history, practical tips for basket care, and suggestions for simple home uses. If you're visiting Lewes from nearby Rehoboth Beach or farther afield, consider scheduling this class mid-visit to bring home a tangible reminder of coastal Delaware's material culture and memories.

About Lewes Historical Society

Lewes Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of Lewes, Delaware, through guided tours, educational programs, and stewardship of historic properties. The organization presents a range of public experiences that illuminate the town’s maritime, cultural, and Revolutionary-era past. Highlights include guided walking tours such as Views Into the Past, the Lewes History Highlights Walking Tour, the Revolutionary Lewes Walking Tour, and themed programs on African American history titled "Voices Heard". Seasonal and special events range from Shipwrecks & Rescues beach walks to evening Lewes Legends and Fires of the Revolution bonfire nights. The Society also partners with First State Paranormal Investigations to present Haunted Histories Paranormal Investigations at the Burton Ingram House.

Tours vary in length from short 45-minute walks to two-hour investigations and beach explorations, each led by interpreters familiar with local architecture, shipwreck lore, and documented historic sites on the Shipcarpenter Street Campus. Programs emphasize factual research, archival materials, and site-based interpretation to connect visitors with Lewes’s three-hundred-year maritime and civic history.

Visitors can find schedule and booking details through the Society’s public listings and local visitor information channels. The Lewes Historical Society focuses on accurate interpretation of primary sources and preservation of historic structures, making it a reliable resource for residents, students, and travelers seeking an informative, place-based historical experience. Located in Lewes, Delaware at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, the Society’s offerings include guided tours, beach walk tours, paranormal investigations, evening walking tours, and special commemorative events that connect community and visitors to local heritage.