While The Girl and I were gallivanting across the northeast last week, we made a point to stop at some of our favorite factories and shops along the way. One of the places we stopped was the Peterboro Basket Company in Peterboro, New Hampshire.
It.Was.Freaking.Awesome. Wayne, the owner, gave The Girl and I a 2 hour personal tour!!!
We were shocked at how many steps there were in making just one basket. Everything is done by hand. No robots, no sub-par supplies, just good old fashion New England white ash wood, some {super old} tools and a large room full of skilled craftsman.
Did I mention the company has been in business since before the American Civil War! 
Wayne was gracious enough to not only show us around the factory but to tell us about all the {vintage} machinery as well. This particular contraption is used for steaming the wood.
After the wood is steamed, it’s placed in to garden basket molds to dry. After a day or two they’ll be removed and the basket will be fashioned into gathering baskets. 
Would you believe the furnace they use was built in 1920? The factory burns all it’s waste as well as old pallets and cord wood to heat the broiler. During the past storm a couple of pipes burst over the weekend while the factory was closed. But luckily, because the steel giant was built so well, it’s up and running again. 
Here is one of the guys making their #1 bestseller, the Peterboro Laundry Basket.
It’s pretty awesome. I know because I personally own one of these beauties. I LOVE mine. It’s the perfect size for a load of laundry. And, well, it just looks cool sitting in my laundry room between loads.
Everything is handmade, hand sanded, hand stained, it’s crazy cool.
I left the factory tour wanting to ask for a job there. Seriously. I think I need to add basket maker to my bucket list.
So if you are ever in the Peterboro, New Hampshire area, stop by and check out the Peterboro Basket Company. Tell ’em Mavis sent you, it rocks!
~Mavis
Peterboro Basket Company
130 Grove Street
Peterboro, NH 03458
Nancy from Mass says
I love Peterboro baskets! I have a few of them. I grew up in NH and my inlaws live there now. they drive out to Peterboro to pick them up from time to time. I think i have 6 or 7 baskets now.
I also love Peterboro NH! 🙂
Debbie says
Love the baskets I think I have to get.
Cindi Myers says
Thank you! I’m placing an order right now!
Heather in MA says
Clearly I need to visit – I’ll add it to the summer-do list.
Renae says
Thanks Mavis, I just purchased a laundry basket for $48., I’ve wanted one forever but assumed they would be as expensive as the Longaberger baskets are. It was a third of the cost of the Longaberger with your discount code…Yay!