| Anyone who is interested in baskets has probably | | | | Company has become a popular tourist spot. |
| heard of the Longaberger Company, a leader in | | | | When traveling in the area, you can visit the |
| the manufacture of handcrafted baskets. Started | | | | Longaberger Homestead and Basket making |
| by J. W. Longaberger and carried on by his | | | | Campus, which is located in Frazeysburg, Ohio. |
| granddaughters Tami and Rachel, the company | | | | You can take a tour of the company itself as well |
| makes maple wood baskets that are a | | | | as shopping at the Longaberger Factory Store. |
| must-have item for any basket collection. | | | | There is also a workshop that will allow you to |
| J. W. Longaberger started his career as an | | | | make your own basket. Throughout the summer |
| apprentice basket maker in 1919 at the Dresden | | | | months, there are two celebrations that the |
| Basket Company that was located in Dresden, | | | | company sponsors. One is the American Summer |
| Ohio. During the Depression of the 1930s, the | | | | Celebration that is held in early June. The 4th of |
| factory closed, but J. W. continued his craft from | | | | July celebrations are impressive as well. |
| home. He and his wife Bonnie Jean eventually | | | | The company also owns the Longaberger Golf |
| saved enough money to buy the old building, and | | | | Club, which is one of the top golf courses in the |
| Longaberger baskets came into existence. | | | | country. Due to its location in the hills of |
| The company itself was started by Dave | | | | southeastern Ohio, this course can prove to be |
| Longaberger, J. W.'s son, who ran it until his death. | | | | challenging to the most avid golf enthusiast. |
| It was Dave's idea to make the corporate | | | | You can also tour the headquarters of |
| headquarters something that people would | | | | Longaberger, "The Great Basket" itself. The |
| remember. When driving down State Route 16 in | | | | building is seven stories high and the offices are |
| Newark, Ohio, people are amazed to see a huge | | | | designed around an atrium that is 30,000 square |
| building that is shaped like a Longaberger Medium | | | | feet. The Basket handles have replica copper and |
| Market Basket. Dave had planned to have all the | | | | wooden rivets and are heated to prevent ice |
| company buildings built in this style, but died | | | | from forming on them during the Ohio winters. |
| before any of the others were started. His | | | | The Basket even has two Longaberger tags on |
| daughters, Tami and Rachel, decided against the | | | | the side of it, each measuring 25'long and 7' tall. |
| unconventional architecture. | | | | Weighing 725 lbs. a piece, these tags are 3' thick |
| Longaberger baskets have long been sold by | | | | and can stand up to the ravages of time. |
| representatives at home, much like Avon and | | | | If you are a basket enthusiast and have a couple |
| Tupperware. While sales were high in the 1980s | | | | days to spare, you should plan a trip to the |
| and 1990s, they have recently declined. Plans are | | | | Longaberger Factory. It is an experience that you |
| underway to begin selling these baskets online. | | | | will not soon forget. |
| As well as basket making, the Longaberger | | | | |