A structure that played a major role in the Longaberger Basket Company’s story is returning to Dresden. The J.W. Longaberger Workshop is being relocated back to the village in a large relocation effort made possible through donations and support from the community and Longaberger Basket collectors.
Originally located on Eighth Street, the workshop was the original home of the handwoven basket for 37 years. Dave Longaberger, J.W.’s son, continued his father’s legacy by founding the Longaberger Company in 1973, which went on to employ over 8,200 people and spark the entrepreneurial spirit in tens of thousands of consultants around the country. Dresden became known as the birthplace of the Longaberger Basket, which drew countless visitors to the village. The workshop was part of the Longaberger Homestead in Frazeysburg and served as a popular attraction to basket collectors for many years.
The historic building is making its return to Dresden, being reconstructed in a space on 6th Street next to the Dave Longaberger Memorial Park, where a statue of Dave and large rocks engraved with quotes from the Longaberger Basket Company founder can be visited after they were also relocated to Dresden from the Homestead in 2018. The park is on the corner of 6th and Main Streets and is just a block away from the World’s Largest Woven Basket.
The J.W. Longaberger’s Workshop Relocation Project is already underway with the lot prep work done, cement pad poured, and walls being erected. At the former Homestead, the deconstruction process of the workshop has been ongoing, and truckloads of walls and sections of the building are making their trip back to Dresden.
To this day, buses and groups of visitors still travel to Dresden to look for unique Longaberger Baskets to add to their collection. Although the times have certainly changed since the business was booming in the 1980s and 1990s, J.W. Longaberger and Dave Longaberger’s legacies are still tightly woven into the community that continues to celebrate and embrace their roots as the Basketmaking Capital. With the annual event, America’s Basket Festival (held July 12, 2025), bringing what is projected to be over 1,000 people this year, it is evident that the excitement for handcrafted baskets that are made in America is still very much alive. It and other events in the community throughout the year highlight Dresden’s history, but also embrace the future, as baskets are still being woven in Dresden, many decades after J.W. worked in his workshop.
The preservation of the historic J.W. Longaberger Workshop is possible because of a partnership between the Village of Dresden, Dresden Community Association, The Muskingum Community Foundation, and Friends of the Dresden Parks as well as initial donations from Eight Keyes Foundation (Rachel Longaberger Stukey), D & Co Cares Foundation, Kendrick Excavating Inc., Lepi and Associates Real Estate Services, Federal Heating and Cooling, Barnes Advertising, PATRIOT Companies, Dingey Movers Inc., T and Z Concrete – Zach Ferguson, and Top Crete LLC – Etching – Jordan Lee.
Support is still needed to bring this project to fruition. Through funds being raised, the original structure will be relocated with care and historical accuracy and will be reconstructed and restored in its new home. Additionally, a permanent fund to ensure the ongoing preservation and maintenance will be established. Every dollar of all contributions will be matched. Additional fundraising efforts are also in the works and will be announced at a later date.
Inquiries about making a donation can be made by calling 740-819-0041.
