Tuesday, November 3, 1970

Borhauer Basket Collection for Sitka

In September of this year, Sitka lost a good friend, Mrs. Doris Borhauer; but her friendship for this community will not be forgotten. It was announced today that Mrs. Borhauer’s well-known spruce root basket collection has been acquired by the National Park Service and will remain permanently at the Sitka National Monument Visitor Center.

The collection consists of 92 spruce root baskets ranging in sizes from 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches to 16 x 17 inches. They date from 1850 to 1967. All sorts of styles and shapes are represented in the collection and some that were woven especially for sale. The variety of size, shape, and age of the baskets makes the collection extremely significant for illustrating the history of the basket weaver’s art. Because spruce root basketry is almost exclusively Tlingit, these baskets are more representative of the aesthetic value of the people than even the totem pole. The designs on the baskets were used by the weaver solely because of their decorative value; while in Tlingit painting. and carving, where realistic forms prevail, the totemic significance of the design is all-important.

Mrs. Borhauer came to Sitka in 1956 as physical therapist at the USPHS Hospital. She married her late husband Buster in 1957 and very soon thereafter, she went into private practice as a physical therapist. By doing so, she filled a very real need in the community.

Mrs. Borhauer explained in her own words her reason for collecting spruce root baskets, “My husband and I were very much interested in the history of Alaska and the Alaska native arts and crafts, each of us having acquired a few native items on previous visits. We soon realized the art of spruce root weaving was being kept active by only a few Tlingit women. Thus, the collection of spruce root baskets became our main interest and hobby, which occupied many enlightening and delightful hours of study and travel in southeast Alaska, developed. We were enriched by the warmth of the Tlingit people we met in many small villages and cities. We listened to fascinating Indian legends, were shown old family heirlooms, and were privileged to take pictures of many of them. It was our good fortune to be able to purchase many very old spruce root utility baskets, several of which had been used by three or four generations.

“When Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Berg retired and decided to move to Portland, Buster and I purchased Mrs. Berg’s basket collection. It was Mrs. Berg’s desire that the spruce root baskets remain in Southeast Alaska where they were woven. My husband and I heartily agreed. It was through my husband’s appreciation of this fine art and through his diligent efforts that we were able to fulfill a fascinating hobby and have a part in preserving some of the artistry of spruce root weaving. The Tlingit women of Sitka and of Southeast Alaska, past and present, have contributed to a fine collection of utility and decorative spruce root baskets which will be viewed, enjoyed, and appreciated for years to come.”

Thus, at considerable monetary sacrifice to herself, Mrs. Borhauer enabled the National Park Service to acquire these baskets on condition that they remain permanently at Sitka National Monument. Indeed, Doris Borhauer’s friendship for Sitka and for Tlingit art will not be forgotten.