The wagners collection was inspired by the classic christmas time nutcracker ballet. 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. The art and character of nutcrackers by arlene wagner. Arlene george and arlene wagner founded the leavenworth nutcracker museum in 1995. Dec 20, 2008 in a nutshell, you could say that arlene and george wagner, of leavenworth, wash. The earliest sonneberg nutcracker in the museum is a figure of napoleon which dates to 1820. Self leavenworth nutcracker museum curator edit did you know. She was the defacto ruler of spain from 1714 until 1746 while philip was ill, and when philip died in 1746, her soninlaw gained control of the throne. Dressed in a traditional bavarian dirndl, arlene wagner greets visitors with a smile. 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. 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.
Dec 06, 2018 the oldest metal nutcracker known dates to the 3rd4th century b. Periodicals newspapers, magazines and such should be italicised, as should books, other things should not be. Collecting nutcrackers explore the nutcracker tradition. Arlene wagner, owner of leavenworths nutcracker museum, knows that some people think her place is a punchline. It was while teaching the nutcracker ballet that she, like clara, became fascinated with these toothy characters.
Kids meet the nutcracker lady at the leavenworth nutcracker. Most were made of iron, but some were made of brass or silver, allowing for more intricate detail. The leavenworth nutcracker museum is honored to announce the visit of adolf heidenreich in september. 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. He will be assisted by arlene wagner, curator of the leavenworth nutcracker museum. Nm about us leavenworth washingtons nutcracker museum. Conans first guest the curator of a nutcracker museum.
Dec 08, 2014 according to arlene wagner of the nutcracker museum, nutcracker soldiers were made in the erzgebirge region of germany around 1800. The leavenworth nutcracker museum was founded in 1995 by george and arlene wagner. Today at nearly 94 years old, arlene runs the museum. Adolf heidenreich to visit leavenworth nutcracker museum the. Leavenworth nutcracker museum leavenworth, washington. Art and character of nutcrackers wagner, arlene, leavenworth nutcracker museum on. The leavenworth nutcracker museum, a national heritage foundation by arlene wagner 2005, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Housed in the leavenworth nutcracker museum, which is also a national heritage foundation site, the wagners collection is on display to the public. Do you need to unsubscribe to our monthly email newsletter. So that is why i began this website, so children could learn more about the fascinating world of nutcrackers. Although woodworkers made nutcrackers of many character shapes. Nutcracker day 2017 the leavenworth nutcracker museum duration.
It is on loan to the museum from the private collection of arlene wagner. Leavenworth online news leavenworth washingtons online. In 1995 the wagner s donated their collection to the leavenworth nutcracker museum, so that it would be enjoyed by many people for generations to come. Art and character of nutcrackers wagner, arlene isbn. Herr heidenreich will be guest of the leavenworth rotary on sept. 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 nutopening devices. Here in leavenworth, washington, a bavarianthemed village.
Beyond visions of sugarplum fairies and wooden men wi. Everyone was very friendly and i enjoyed the young production staff. At this world famous nutcracker museum in leavenworth, people go nuts for nutcrackers. The leavenworth nutcracker museums curator arlene wagner was honored to be conan obrians first guest on monday night. Written by arlene wagner published by collectors press, inc. Nm elisabetta farnese at the leavenworth nutcracker museum. In all, more than 7,000 nutcrackers make up the collection, according to museum founder arlene wagner, housed at a small space in downtown. 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. 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.
The first nutcrackers were undoubtedly hammers or simple utilitarian designs, probably two pieces of wood hinged at one end with leather straps. Her name is arlene wagner, and for many years she was known as miss arlene, a nationally recognized dance teacher who instilled the love of dance in thousands of students. Arlene wagner author, leavenworth nutcracker museum author 4. The art and character of nutcrackers book by arlene wagner. Then at a large antique show she and her husband discovered many other. It is crafted of wood with a face of paper mache, another product for which the area is famous. Arlene and george wagner of leavenworth started collecting nutcrackers in the 1970s and amassed a collection large enough to fill the 3,000squarefoot museum which they founded in 1995. Curator at the leavenworth nutcracker museum in leavenworth. The utilitarian and decorative devices are at the crossroads of engineering and art. This nutcracker of wilhelm, emperor of germany, was also made in the early 19th century, and another napoleon with a big reinforced paper followed soon after. Nutcracker museum is an eyepopping attraction in leavenworth. According to arlene wagner, curators of the leavenworth nutcracker museum, music and war played an important role in introducing americans to the german nutcracker, with american troopes in west germany purchasing the figurines to send home as christmas gifts. View the profiles of professionals named arlene wagner on linkedin.
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. The museums building is of a bavarian style and is of an area of. Arlene wagner curator leavenworth nutcracker museum. This museum, which was built to foster and encourage interest in the evolution of the nutcracker is the brainchild of arlene wagner. Wagner arlene leavenworth nutcracker museum abebooks. Arlene continues to work at the museum as curator and museum. Leavenworth nutcracker museum is a museum dedicated to nutcrackers, located in leavenworth, washington. Adolf heidenreich to visit leavenworth nutcracker museum. Elisabetta farnese, 16921766, became queen of spain as the wife of philip v. The bright colours and the charming woodwork an average. There is dazzling array of styles and colors in fact, are over seven thousand different nutcrackers here. View all hotels near nutcracker museum on tripadvisor. The nutcracker is large in size, measuring about 15 inches including the base.
The museum started with just a shop space on the second level of a commercial building occupied by two other independent businesses. Nutcracker museum leavenworth 2020 all you need to know. The leavenworth nutcracker museum was founded in 1995 by george and arlene wagner who donated their huge nutcracker collection and the building in. Founded by arlene wagner and her husband george in 1995, the museum housed over 6,000 nutcrackers in 2010. Because of her extensive knowledge one writer called arlene the nutcracker lady and so she has been ever since. Published by collectors press for the leavenworth nutcracker museum. Leavenworth nutcracker museum washington state tours. The leavenworth nutcracker museum would like everyone to take a moment to remember those that gave their lives for our freedom. That museum has a bronze roman nutcracker dated between 200. We will never spam or give out your information sign up today. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Leavenworth nutcracker museum in washington state this.
See the complete profile on linkedin and discover arlenes. The much anticipated first show went especially well and arlene had this to say about her first guest experience. Arlene wagner, the nutcracker lady from the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington, says that the bronze hands, as it was dubbed, was discovered in 1930 in a grave near taranto, italy. Leavenworths nutcracker museum is all its cracked up to be.
Nutcracker museum in leavenworth nutcracker museum 735. Nutcracker museum the complete pilgrim religious travel sites. She exerted great influence over spains foreign policy. The nonprofit museum is home to more than 5,000 nutcrackers of various ages, styles and countries of origin, from the wellknown german toysoldier nussknacker to the nutting. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Arlene wagner, who cofounded the 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. Oct 19, 2014 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. Other contributorleavenworth nutcracker museum and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Find nutcracker museum in leavenworth with address, phone number from yahoo us local. She taught multiple productions of the nutcracker, and became enamored of nutcrackers. The formatting on the references is a bit all over the place.
Meet the staff at the leavenworth nutcracker museum. Museum curator arlene wagner, who founded the operation with her husband george in 1995, was interviewed last week for the segment, expected to air before christmas. 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. Getty imagestoday, rumors are swirling that arlene wagner, who opened the leavenworth nutcracker museum in the state of washington 15 years ago with. The author, arlene wagner has amassed more than 5,000 pieces housed in the leavenworth nutcracker museum, on display to the public. Not completely sure that arlene wagner is regarded as a national authority on the subject of nutcrackers. 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. The museum was opened in 1995 by arlene wagner, a former ballet teacher, and her husband george.
Leavenworth nutcracker museum used with permission dressed in a traditional bavarian dirndl, arlene wagner greets visitors with a smile. Arlene wagner, the nutcracker lady leavenworth nutcracker museum kids love nutcrackers leavenworth alefest. Arlene wagner also known as the nutcracker lady and her husband have amassed more than 5,000 pieces. Her name is arlene wagner, and for many years she was known as miss. Wagner says, the cutting blades to make metal screw nutcrackers were not. In 1995 she started the nutcracker museum in leavenworth, washington when she donat. Wagner studied ballet under alexandra danilova, and subsequently became a ballet instructor.