Nutcracker Museum
Visit our Sister Sites at:
www.kidslovenutcrackers.com and
www.nutcrackerday.com
May 2016 Nutcracker Museum Newsletter |
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| The museum board of directors contracted with the talented Amanda Gibbs of Gibbs Graphics to redesign the exterior of the museum, including a 7 foot sculpture, a hanging sign over sidewalk with custom bracket, sign over door, and simulated brick wall. The designs had to be approved by the Design Review Board of the city of Leavenworth, a long and demanding process with many hours of work to present minute details of all signs and sculptures with a sample of all colors to be used. | ||
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The original nutcracker used for the design of the sculpture was carved of boxwood and measures 10 inches in height. It originated from France, circa 1500, and is the oldest carved nutcracker in the museum. It is crowned with a bird drinking from a chalice held by 2 angels, and a sinister gargoyle adorning the bottom half of the sculpture. |
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A strong metal frame had to be built first to support the sculpture which weighs about 400 pounds. Here is Amanda at work as she welded the framework. | |
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Concrete mixed with fiberglass was spread over the steel meshed frame, and sculpting began while the mixture was still wet. A variety of tools, trowels, and fingers were used in the process. Measurements and scale had to be done perfectly to duplicate the original nutcracker. | |
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Here are pictures of the sculpture as painting is started, and another when finished. After the final coat of paint, the sculpture received 3 layers of acrylic paint and 3 layers of a custom mixed acrylic glaze. |
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 Finished!!! Our elegant museum entrance featuring the impressive sculpture by Amanda Gibbs. When you come to the museum be sure to see the original nutcracker in the antique section. The decorative mural painted previously by Candice Dillhoff was saved and enhanced with the new “brick” wall. |
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| Overhead bracket for sign was copied from a 10 inch cherry wood nutcracker from the 19th century. The original nutcracker is reversible to accommodate different sized nuts. The double faced hanging sign features the head of Karl, the 6 ft. museum mascot carved by the late Karl Rappl of Germany. | ||
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Arlene Wagner, The Nutcracker Lady
Website:
www.nutcrackermuseum.com
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Quick Links
Dogs that are able to be carried at all times may come into the museum
and the store.
Service animals are always welcome.
Contact Us
735 Front Street
P.O. Box 2212
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-4573
MUSEUM HOURS
11:00PM - 5:00PM Daily
We suggest visitors arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
Museum Online Store
Privacy Policy
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Refunds & Returns
Nutcracker Museum Mission Statement:
"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. No other tool or collectible has shown such a wide diversity of material and design as the implements used to crack the hard shell of a nut".
Museum Admission:
Adults - $5.00 (Ages 17 - 64yrs)
Seniors - $3.50
(Age 65yrs +)
Youth - $2.00 (Ages 6 - 16yrs)
Child - FREE (Ages 0 - 5yrs)
Active
Military - FREE (Spouse & Children Free with ID)