Baskets

VR Display of a tree and Native homes among mountains and wetlands

Overview

The Virtual Museum of Native American Basketry is a VR experience hosting over 100 Native American Baskets woven by Native American Indians from over 25 different tribes spanning from the Great Basin into California, Oregon, Nevada, and other western states. They were woven between the late 1890’s and the mid-1930's, though a few pieces were woven as early as 1840. Most of the baskets were purchased by Lulu K. Huber in the early 20th century and are now stewarded by the University of Nevada, Reno Anthropology Research Museum.

 This virtual museum allows users to inspect and admire the digital representations of these intricate artful baskets. Take note of their styles and designs. Consider the skill, dedication, and the passion each weaver devoted to finishing their baskets – as well as the historical teaching and knowledge passed through the generations for this tradition to persist.

Download the museum

For assistance downloading or viewing this VR experience please contact Luka Starmer: lstarmer@unr.edu 

You can also view the baskets on the Libraries' Digital Archive. 

VR Experience Features

VR basket with triangular pattern and a black background

Pick up and interact with digital baskets to learn about them in vivid detail

Diorama of a wetland with Native buildings and mountains

Explore immersive dioramas unlike anything possible in a physical museum

Basket exhibit with a basket, notes, and a weaving display

Learn about some of the materials, techniques, and styles of Native American Basketry

Dat So La Lee basket with with images of other baskets in a VR display

Experience a famous Dat So La Lee basket up close and personal

Virtual 3D display with laptop, baskets, and cupboards

Learn about 3D digitization in the virtual Anthropology Research Lab

A display of baskets in black and white

Visit the multimedia gallery to see archival videos and images of basket weavers

This Native American basketry digitization project was a multi-faceted collaborative project in partnership with the Anthropology Research Museum of the University of Nevada, Reno who trustingly opened access to basket artifacts in the Lulu K. Huber collection, as well as shared collections research for each item. Additionally, the Anthropology Department provided the necessary lab space to complete the 3D digitization process.

A black and white image three woven baskets

Anthropology 309 Museum Studies

This project received informed consultation and thoughtful guidance about how to present a digitized collection in the virtual space from the students in the University of Nevada, Reno Museum Studies class. Their recommendations included how baskets should be displayed and how to appropriately include cultural stakeholders. They crosschecked the existing basket research and learned about 3D scanning technology.

Learning from Indigenous Objects

Museums are caretakers or stewards and not owners of cultural belongings. Indigenous cultures connect the past, present, and the future and may still use cultural items for ceremonies today. These baskets are digital representations of belongings that reflect the culture and identity from where they came.

“All Indigenous belongings have meaning as objects of beauty, purpose, and spirit. There is no difference between sacred, art, or utilitarian, as there is in western categories. Cultural groups raised traditionally know and understand the meanings of these items better than anyone else (including scholars). Some cultures believe things they’ve made with prayer have a living spirit and need food, light, and air.” - Sherry L. Rupert, Executive Director, State of Nevada Indian Commission February 21, 2019

Special Thanks

Dr. Carol White and The University of Nevada, Reno Anthropology Research Museum

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Cultural Committee

Washoe Tribe Cultural Committee

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Cultural Committee

Dr. Anna Camp and the Nevada State Museum

Billie Jean Guerrero - Director of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Museum

Donna Cossette – Registrar of the Churchill County Museum

Sue Coleman - Basket Weaver, Washoe Tribe

2019 Fall ANTHRO 309 Museum Studies Class 

Kathlin Ray - Dean of University Libraries

Robin Monteith - Events coordinator University Libraries

Jill Stockton - Marketing Communications Specialist University Libraries

IGT Foundation for funding a VR Kiosk

Archival Photos Courtesy University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections and Online Digital Collections Archives