Make a May Basket

​The Western Illinois Museum invites you to a drop-in workshop to create a Victorian-era-inspired May basket, the perfect Mother’s Day gift. This family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, May 13th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Western Illinois Museum. The activity is ideal for school-age children and up, as well as for adults who have a fondness for making handmade gifts. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.

While the May Day celebrations have been a popular way to welcome spring throughout the ages, it was the Victorians who popularized the practice.  They established the tradition of showing affection by secretly hanging a handmade basket on the door on May 1st after dark. Often made of paper embellished with simple materials such as lace, ribbons, and buttons, the baskets would be filled with flowers, candies, or other small gifts.  The custom was also popular in the United States and continued late into the 20th century.

The Museum has decided to bring back this tradition and our volunteers will guide you through making a May basket.  Like a true Victorian, you can adorn your basket with a variety of materials we’ll have on hand​​ as well as ​make paper flowers for a spring-like May Day gift​ that is sure to win hearts or be the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Our re-enactors, Mrs. Bath and Mrs. Chu, will share the history of this tradition and as proper Victorian women, they will also invite you to share a cup of warm tea.  

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. 

The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 South Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. For more information visit our website at www.wimuseum.org or contact the Western Illinois Museum by phone at 309.837.2750, email at info@wimuseum.org, or text at 309.837.2613.