Peterboro Basket Company
Encyclopedia
The Peterboro Basket Company is a basket
manufacturer that has operated in Peterborough, New Hampshire
for more than 150 years.
, Massachusetts
to work on the manufacture of lead pipe. In 1854, he began weaving baskets in a building erected by Moses Chapman in 1830 as a wheelwright
shop between Depot Street and the railroad tracks. Amzi Childs and Asa Henry made baskets for many years and had an excellent reputation. Their business burned in 1891. The business was sold to the McLane Basket Factory of Milford
and moved there.
Henry B. Needham, "the dean of the basket manufacturing business in Peterborough," came to town in 1875 and for 15 years was foreman at the Childs' factory. After that factory burned in 1891, Needham established the Needham Basket Factory in a part of the White Machine Shop at Elm and Water streets. He constructed a new building in 1893. In 1916, the H. B. Needham Basket Company incorporated and purchased the shoe factory near the depot. In 1920, the Peterborough company was organized to build a new factory and combined with the Milford company. In 1926, the building was damaged by fire, and the present Peterboro Basket Company organized.
Walter Hood, now semi-retired, has worked at the Peterboro Basket Company since 1962. In April, 2000, Hood will have 50 years of basket making to his credit. Hood appears on the QVC
home shopping network displaying basket making techniques for viewers. "I like making baskets. They're one of the oldest creations of man. They date to before my time. I love my work," Hood said.
Peterboro Basket remains a family owned and operated company.
Basket
A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, which can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, runners, and cane. While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or metal wire can be used. Baskets are...
manufacturer that has operated in Peterborough, New Hampshire
Peterborough, New Hampshire
Peterborough is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,284 at the 2010 census. Home to the MacDowell Art Colony, the town is a popular tourist destination....
for more than 150 years.
History
The company's history dates to 1841, when Amzi Childs came to Peterborough from DeerfieldDeerfield, Massachusetts
Deerfield is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,750 as of the 2000 census. Deerfield is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area in Western Massachusetts, lying only north of the city of Springfield.Deerfield includes the...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to work on the manufacture of lead pipe. In 1854, he began weaving baskets in a building erected by Moses Chapman in 1830 as a wheelwright
Wheelwright
A wheelwright is a person who builds or repairs wheels. The word is the combination of "wheel" and the archaic word "wright", which comes from the Old English word "wryhta", meaning a worker or maker...
shop between Depot Street and the railroad tracks. Amzi Childs and Asa Henry made baskets for many years and had an excellent reputation. Their business burned in 1891. The business was sold to the McLane Basket Factory of Milford
Milford, New Hampshire
Milford is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States, on the Souhegan River. The population was 15,115 at the 2010 census. It is the retail and manufacturing center of a six-town area known informally as the Souhegan Valley....
and moved there.
Henry B. Needham, "the dean of the basket manufacturing business in Peterborough," came to town in 1875 and for 15 years was foreman at the Childs' factory. After that factory burned in 1891, Needham established the Needham Basket Factory in a part of the White Machine Shop at Elm and Water streets. He constructed a new building in 1893. In 1916, the H. B. Needham Basket Company incorporated and purchased the shoe factory near the depot. In 1920, the Peterborough company was organized to build a new factory and combined with the Milford company. In 1926, the building was damaged by fire, and the present Peterboro Basket Company organized.
Walter Hood, now semi-retired, has worked at the Peterboro Basket Company since 1962. In April, 2000, Hood will have 50 years of basket making to his credit. Hood appears on the QVC
QVC
QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households...
home shopping network displaying basket making techniques for viewers. "I like making baskets. They're one of the oldest creations of man. They date to before my time. I love my work," Hood said.
Peterboro Basket remains a family owned and operated company.