Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - April 19, 1998
By Marylee Hagan
Vigo County Historical Society

May Basket tradition a popular one "April showers bring May flowers . . ."

. . . and the opportunity to enjoy a charming occasion knows as May Day. In the past, the first day of May was celebrated by the crowning of a Queen of the May with a garland of flowers, and by dancing and intertwining colorful ribbons about a Maypole.

During the 1940s, a popular May 1 tradition was the presenting of May Baskets to family and friends.

It was great fun for children to make the baskets using construction paper and paste, fill them with flowers and either present them to the lucky received or--even more delightful--hang the basket on the doorknob, ring the bell and then run and hide behind a tree to watch the lucky receiver discover the surprise.

The "May Basket" pictured was obviously made with loving hands and kept by some special person as a reminder of a delightful surprise. This particular treasure was made of cardboard covered with white linen that has been embroidered with purple violets, the flower of remembrance.

The cone-shaped "basket" is laced together and decorated with lavender silk ribbons.

Have you made May Baskets for the special people of your life?

Why not do just that and help revive a springtime tradition that is a pleasure for the giver as well as the receiver.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.