The tradition of basket weaving began aboard the lightships anchored off the shores of Nantucket. These floating lighthouses protected ships as they approached the island from the shallows that surround her. Keepers of the lightships spent much of their time weaving and the result is a tradition that is still practiced today. The Nantucket Basket has become an art form with makers exploring new shapes, functions, materials and decoration. It is a practice that has fueled the island economy and is recognized the world over.