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. The museum’s 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.
Nutcrackers in the collection range from strictly utilitarian, to the intricately carved figural wooden nutcrackers that are popular with many collectors. Items in the collection include hand held metal nutcrackers, some of which have been hand forged. British cast brass lever nutcrackers from the 18th and 19th centuries, and cast iron nutcrackers from the United States in the shapes of figures are also found in the collection. The museum has many examples of rare, wooden carved nutcrackers. These figural nutcrackers were often discarded when overuse caused the wood to crack.
The museum is home to many used versions, as well as collectors items that have never been used to crack nuts. In addition to the nutcrackers, a collection of nutting stones includes specimens that date back to 8,000 years ago. A bronze Roman piece unearthed in the 1960’s is the oldest known nutcracker in the world, possibly dating back to 200 B.C. Additional items on display include nut bowls and nut picks. Over 50 countries are represented by the nutcrackers and tools at the museum, including Brazil, Ethiopia, Argentina, Tanzania, Afghanistan and Australia.
Characters represented by the figural nutcrackers at the museum range from wildlife, to Disney and Sesame Street characters, to familiar storybook characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, the cast of the Wizard of Oz and King Arthur’s Court. Other nutcrackers represent countries, U.S. Presidents, astronauts and soldiers. Karl is a 6-foot tall Bavarian nutcracker that greets guests outside the museum. The piece was carved from a single block of wood by the artist Karl Rappl and offers a popular photo opportunity. Children are welcomed and encouraged at the museum, although due to concerns about allergies, they can only test out the nutcrackers on Nutcracker Day, which takes place each July.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, 735 Front Street Leavenworth, WA 98826, Phone: 509-548-4573, Map
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