In the early 1920's, the Yosemite Park Service became interested in encouraging basketry among the Indian women of the valley. They started holding "Indian Field Days," a social get-together in which basketry judging was the centerpiece. Indian families enjoyed the occasion, and the women learned much from each other -- especially design ideas -- in showings and conversations at these doings.

The last Indian Field Day was held in 1929. Basketry competition winners (left to right) photographed then are Tina Charlie, Carrie Bethel, Alice (James) Wilson, Leanna Tom, and Maggie Tabuce Howard. They hold their winning baskets, some displayed at their feet. But the Depression was beginning. Tourism dropped sharply until after World War II. This was the last Indian Field Days held at Yosemite.

In 1929, Lucy Telles began a basket project that was to take her 4 years -- the giant basket shown above, which was later to win first prize at the 1939 World's Fair. It's one of the largest, perhaps the largest, fine basket ever made. Other women also decided to start big, long-term baskets, in hopes that when better times came again, they would have these very impressive art works of years to show. Lucy kept her large prizewinner. Around 1950, she raffled it off. Her son won it, and the National Park Service later purchased it for the Yosemite Museum..

Webmistress -- Paula Giese Text and graphics copyright 1996