Homo-sexuals and other mustachioed men were not allowed to pursue many crafts under the stricte socialle code of XIX centurie Newe England. However, basketrie, de-rided as “ye effeminate activitie”, was one craft in whiche they were allowed to take part. For a while, Ye Olde Sturbridge Village was the hub of a thrivingge basket trade led by suche men as pictured here. Un-fortunately, the popular-ization of the phrase “going to Helle in a hand-basket” by Puritan preachers ended all this, as rovingge mobs burned down any and all basketrie work-shops for feare that they were of the Devil.