Art and character of nutcrackers wagner, arlene, leavenworth nutcracker museum on. Other contributor leavenworth nutcracker museum and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. More than 6,000 handmade nutcracker figurines from around the world are displayed at the museum, ranging in age from modernday to some 2,000 years old. These include fun varieties such as mickey mouse and darth vader. Everyone was very friendly and i enjoyed the young production staff. At this world famous nutcracker museum in leavenworth, people go nuts for nutcrackers. Most were made of iron, but some were made of brass or silver, allowing for more intricate detail. Nutcracker museum is an eyepopping attraction in leavenworth. Leavenworth nutcracker museum washington state tours. The cofounder of the museum, arlene wagner developed a fondness for.
Dec 06, 2018 after the lever nutcrackers comes the screw type. Leavenworth nutcracker museum dressed in a traditional bavarian dirndl, arlene wagner greets visitors with a smile. The museum became a nonprofit 501 c3 foundation and others have donated nutcrackers, and now it contains over 7000 specimens, probably the worlds largest collection of nutopening devices. Because of her extensive knowledge one writer called arlene the nutcracker lady and so she has been ever since. Leavenworth nutcracker museum is a museum dedicated to nutcrackers, located in leavenworth, washington. The christmas spirit is on display with tours from may 1 through october 31 of the leavenworth nutcracker museum, george and arlene wagners private collection that was made public in 1995. The leavenworth nutcracker museums curator arlene wagner was honored to be conan obrians first guest on monday night. Arlene wagner, owner of leavenworth s nutcracker museum, knows that some people think her place is a punchline. Dressed in a traditional bavarian dirndl, arlene wagner greets visitors with a smile.
Once these issues have been addressed, the article can be renominated. In 1995 she started the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington when she. Written by arlene wagner and printed by collectors press, inc. There is dazzling array of styles and colors in fact, are over seven thousand different nutcrackers here. The hardcover of the art and character of nutcrackers. During the last 40 years, the wagners, both 84, have amassed more than 5,000 nutcrackers from 47 countriesone of the largest and finest collections of its kind in the worldwhich they display at their leavenworth nutcracker museum. The nutcracker museum in bavarian leavenworth, washington offers visitors a view of over 6,000 nutcrackers, some of which date back to ancient roman times. June 2016 newsletter from the nutcracker museum in leavenworth. Take a picture with karl, the lifesized beerimbibing nutcracker, and dont. The earliest sonneberg nutcracker in the museum is a figure of napoleon which dates to 1820.
Getty imagestoday, rumors are swirling that arlene wagner, who opened the leavenworth nutcracker museum in. Arlene wagner curator leavenworth nutcracker museum. Herr heidenreich, who comes from gemunden, germany, is the worlds foremost authority on antique nutcracking devices. Other contributorleavenworth nutcracker museum and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The museum became a nonprofit 501c3 foundation and others have donated nutcrackers, and now it contains over 7000 specimens, probably the worlds largest collection of nut. Leavenworth online news leavenworth washingtons online. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover arlenes. How did the leavenworth nutcracker museum come to be. My husband and i took our 6 year old nutcracker loving daughter and 8 year old. The leavenworth nutcracker museum was founded in 1995 by george and arlene wagner. The museums mission is to foster an interest in the history and role of the nut in the human diet, as well as the elaborately crafted tools that have been used throughout history to crack the nuts hard shell. Arlene continues to work at the museum as curator and museum. For those of you who are conan fans, arlene wagner, the curator of the museum, was conans first guest on his show. There are suggestions below for improving the article. This museum opened in 1995 as a private showing of the growing nutcracker collection of george and arlene wagner, and eventually a nonprofit corporation was. The museum became a nonprofit 501c3 foundation and others have donated nutcrackers, and now it contains over 7000 specimens, probably the worlds. Nutcracker museum leavenworth 2020 all you need to.
This museum, which was built to foster and encourage interest in the evolution of the nutcracker is the brainchild of arlene wagner. This museum in germany and the leavenworth nutcracker museum are the only two all nutcracker museums in the world. Leavenworth nutcracker museum, 735 front st, leavenworth. Written by arlene wagner design by michael mcivor published by olympic press, seattle wa 2014 hardcover book 1 pages, 812 x 11 inches isbn 09785535. The utilitarian and decorative devices are at the crossroads of engineering and art. In 1995 she started the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington when she donated her huge nutcracker collection. Leavenworths nutcracker lady worlds largest nutcracker. So that is why i began this website, so children could learn more about the fascinating world of. The leavenworth nutcracker museum is honored to announce the visit of adolf heidenreich in september. Editors may also seek a reassessment of the decision if they believe there was a mistake. The first nutcrackers were undoubtedly hammers or simple utilitarian designs, probably two pieces of wood hinged at one end with leather straps.
The leavenbworth nutcracker museum opened its doors in 1995. View the profiles of professionals named arlene wagner on linkedin. Curator at the leavenworth nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington. Leavenworth nutcracker museum is a museum based in leavenworth, wa that was founded in 2007. Leavenworth nutcracker museum in washington state this. To add a little extra excitement, the museum has a treasure hunt to find specific nutcrackers. In a nutshell, you could say that arlene and george wagner, of leavenworth, wash. Leavenworth nutcracker museum was a social sciences and society good articles nominee, but did not meet the good article criteria at the time. The leavenworth nutcracker museum was founded in 1995 by george and arlene wagner who donated their huge nutcracker collection and the building in. Arlene wagner, who cofounded the nutcracker museum. Browse wide aisles and shelves crowded with over 6,000 handmade pieces from around the world and ranging in age from recently built to 1,800 years old. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Nutcracker museum in leavenworth nutcracker museum 735. In 1995 she started the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington when she donated her huge nutcracker collection and the building in which it is housed.
Magazines and newspapers both in the us and germany have featured the museum in various articles. Join facebook to connect with arlene wagner and others you may know. The nutcracker museum, located in the unlikely but very picturesque town of leavenworth, washington is the largest such museum in the united states and possibly the world as well. The museum opened its doors in 1995 as a private showing of the immense nutcracker collection of george and arlene wagner, and soon after that a washington state nonprofit corporation was formed. I was a bit star struck and i even got a photo with her. Leavenworth nutcracker museum, 735 front st, leavenworth, wa. View arlene wagners profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. Visit leavenworth nutcracker museum in wenatchee lake.
The leavenworth nutcracker museum, a national heritage foundation by arlene wagner 2005, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Shout out to conan obriens first guest on his new latenight show, nutcracker museum curator arlene wagner, a former ballet teacher who used to be involved with the production ofwait for itthe nutcracker. Nutcracker day 2017 the leavenworth nutcracker museum duration. Dec 15, 2014 nutcrackers have a long history dec 15, 2014.
To foster and encourage the interest of the general public of the importance of nuts in the diets of humans throughout history and in the evolution of the nutcracker. The much anticipated first show went especially well and arlene had this to say about her first guest experience. Dec 20, 2008 in a nutshell, you could say that arlene and george wagner, of leavenworth, wash. Arlene george and arlene wagner founded the leavenworth nutcracker museum in 1995. Kids meet the nutcracker lady at the leavenworth nutcracker. Arlene wagner appeared on conan as the first guest on this new show. The leavenworth nutcracker museum, a national heritage foundation 192. Find nutcracker museum in leavenworth with address, phone number from yahoo us local.
Visit the wold famous leavenworth nutcracker museum on your next visit to leavenworth washington. Collecting nutcrackers explore the nutcracker tradition. A more thorough walkthrough could easily reach 90 minutes plus. About the author arlene wagner became interested in nutcrackers in the late 1960s when she purchased some for her dance studio. Arlene wagner, owner of leavenworths nutcracker museum, knows that some people think her place is a punchline. The author, arlene wagner has amassed more than 5,000 pieces housed in the leavenworth nutcracker museum, on display to the public. In 1995 the wagners donated their collection to the leavenworth nutcracker museum, so that it would be enjoyed by many people for generations to come. Conans first guest the curator of a nutcracker museum. Leavenworth nutcracker museum leavenworth, wa cause iq. Leavenworth nutcracker museum leavenworth, washington. Today at nearly 94 years old, arlene runs the museum. Sleeping lady resort leavenworth washington trip to resort. The leavenworth nutcracker museum is easily the most interesting and best. Founded by arlene wagner and her husband george in 1995, the museum housed over 6,000 nutcrackers in 2010.
The leavenworth nutcracker museum is easily the most interesting and best value location to visit in leavenworth, wa and quite likely one of the best of both in the greater seattle area. Leavenworth nutcracker museum the private collection of george and arlene wagner was opened to the public in 1995. The museum became a nonprofit 501c3 foundation and others have donated nutcrackers, and now it contains over 7000 specimens, the worlds largest collection. In 1995 she started the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington when she donat. Arlene wagner, the nutcracker lady leavenworth nutcracker museum.
The museum became a nonprofit 501c3 foundation and others have donated nutcrackers, and now it contains over 6000 specimens, probably the worlds largest collection of nutopening devices. First and foremost, you can view thousands of different nutcrackers at the leavenworth nutcracker museum. This 188 page deluxe coffee table book published for the leavenworth nutcracker museum, shows pictures of over nutcrackers from the 16th century to today. Arlene is a very nice lady and you could tell she is very compassionate about her museum. Nutcracker museum leavenworth 2020 all you need to know. Mar 08, 2020 her name is arlene wagner and shes known globally as the nutcracker lady. Peruse the models on sale in the nussknacker shop on the floor beneath the museum. Known as the nutcracker lady, arlene started collecting these tools in the 1960s. The leavenworth nutcracker museum was founded in 1995 by george and arlene wagner who donated their huge nutcracker collection and the building in which it is housed. She started the leavenworth nutcracker museum in washington state about 15 years ago with the mission to foster and encourage. Meet the staff at the leavenworth nutcracker museum.
Arlene wagner curator leavenworth nutcracker museum linkedin. Wagner arlene leavenworth nutcracker museum abebooks. Today, many specimens exitst that can truly be called. Her knowledge and dedication to the nutcracker world is known and respected throughout the world. Her name is arlene wagner, and for many years she was known as miss. Learn about the history of the leavenworth nutcracker museum. She and her husband george have been collecting nutcrackers ever since. My husband and i took our 6 year old nutcracker loving daughter and 8 year old nephew kind of begrudgingly figuring they would find no interest in it once we were therebut they really wanted to go. There is so much to learn about nutcrackers, not only about the familiar wooden toy soldier nutcracker but the many different tools men have devised to open the shell of the nut. Learn about ballet instructor and enthusiast of the nutcracker ballet arlene wagner, who founded the museum in 1995 with her husband.
Arlene wagner, a former ballet teacher, produced the famous nutcracker ballet for many years and just as clara in the ballet became entranced with the wooden figure with the big teeth, so did arlene. Wagner studied ballet under alexandra danilova, and subsequently became a ballet instructor. In all, more than 7,000 nutcrackers make up the collection, according to museum founder arlene wagner, housed at a small space in downtown leavenworth, washington a bavarian theme town in the. It is crafted of wood with a face of paper mache, another product for which the area is famous. Arlene continues to work at the museum as curator and museum director. Nm about us leavenworth washingtons nutcracker museum.