1st Quarter Newsletter 2024

for the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

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2023 WAS A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR THE MUSEUM

The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum welcomed over 40,000 people in 2023, and the number of countries represented increased to over 100.  The nutcracker count grew as well, raising the number to over 9600, including many interesting specimens added to the displays!!  If you have not visited in the past year, you need to come back just to see what has been added.  Here are some of the special pieces that found a place on the shelves this past year.

This ‘Lyon of Lucerne’, carved in Poland, came from a collector friend who decided the carving needed a larger space for display than she had on her shelves, and knew just where it would fit!  It is a replica of the famous stone sculpture dedicated to the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss guards who were massacred in the French Revolution in 1792.   (Pictured Above)

Now we have an ancient Nut Opener made of hand-wrought bronze.  Imagine holding something in your hand that is 2000 years old!  Who made this unique instrument for opening a walnut? How many people have used it over these years?  Why does it have a monkey shape? This is a must-see when you visit.  (Pictured Above)

I smile each time I pass by this delightful and joyous Austrian Gentleman brought to the museum by Nick Heiting, one of the musicians who performs each year at the Gazebo.   It was in his family home for over 100 years, and Nick wanted others to enjoy it.  You will smile too when you see it.  (Pictured Above)

We do not know the name of the carver, or the wood used, but this spectacular ‘Sitting Santa’ is one of my favorite 2023 additions.  It is believed to have been made by the same unknown carver who crafted the well-known ‘Sitting King’ seen in the Fränkische Museum in Feuchtwanger, Germany.  A German collector friend sent this to the museum.   (Pictured Above)

It is unusual for two figures to be on a nutcracker, so we were pleased when this happy couple danced into the museum.  It was carved in the Groeden Valley of northern Italy by Franz Insam in the late 19^th century.  Carvers in this area usually used slow growing Cembra pine for their creations.  (Pictured Above)

Paul Anderson of Utah crafted this Napoleon nutcracker for the Museum—We especially like his carvings because he uses a variety of hardwoods such as ash, box elder, maple and white oak and trims his designs with real fur.  If you have not seen his Amish Quilter or his Seated Knitter, you need to come again—they are worth the trip!!!  (Pictured Above)

This wrought iron screw nutcracker was turned and chiseled in France at the end of the 18^th century.  It has a square cage decorated with an engraved ring of chevrons and a heart-shaped handle.  We won this with a lucky bid at an auction in Paris.  (Pictured Above)

Make sure you see each one of these special pieces when you come. 

Arlene Wagner, The Nutcracker Lady Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum Email: curator@nutcrackermuseum.com