In the 1970s a group of women from Kansas traveled to Eye Manor in Herefordshire, England, where Lettice Sandford conducted a Summer School on straw art. It was there the women of Kansas gained expertise and revived the craft in America which was instrumental in the founding of NAWW in 1987.

Our objective is to educate, develop and promote all forms of straw artistry.

Gleanings is published three times a year, containing articles and projects for the straw art enthusiast.

We meet yearly at a National Convention rotating the location across the United States for an Annual Meeting of membership. Classes are offered as well as a favor exchange and auctions for banquet table centerpieces and the teacher’s projects. A Straw Expo, open to the public, offers the chance to buy books, many different supplies, member’s work, marquetry and antique straw work.

The membership in the United States is divided into three geographical districts: the Eastern District is from the Atlantic to east of the Mississippi River; the Central District is west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains; the Western District is from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.