It's a long time tradition that weaves a story of necessity and creativity.

Several counties in south central Kentucky make up the White Oak basket making region.

Today, the Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University hosted the White Oak gathering.

It brings together basketball makers from across the southeast, including Bill and Marian Smith, who live in North Carolina.

They weaved white oak baskets and prepared materials from trees.

They built or split for more than 25 years.

They've also taught classes at various arts, crafts and folk schools.

Marianne says baskets were what's crucial to everyday life.

Of course, I'm very much a traditionalist.

I like art that is usable.

Bill and I are not of an age to keep going out into the woods, and because you're cutting that tree down and hauling it out on your shoulder and you know, there comes a point that's just too hard for you to do.

So my dream is always been that some younger people will pick it up and keep it going.

It's not something that's necessary for us anymore.

We have other things to take the place of baskets.

But to me, the tradition is necessary that people don't lose touch with how their ancestors did things and what nature has to offer.

If you just look around and see.

Marianne estimates she's made thousands of baskets and says some of them take 100 hours of work.

White oak baskets are part of a new exhibition in the Kentucky Museum's Folklife Gallery.