Nutcracker Museum

Visit our Sister Sites at:
www.kidslovenutcrackers.com and www.nutcrackerday.com

History of the Museum

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 non-profit corporation was formed.



HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM:
The museum opened its doors in1995 as a private showing of the immense nutcracker collection of Arlene and George Wagner. They wanted others to share the enjoyment that nutcrackers can bring.
In 2006, The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum received IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status with the donation of the Wagner’s nutcracker collection and ownership of the entire building in which it was housed. Since this time, many collectors who were searching for a permanent home for their treasured nutcrackers, have donated them to the museum for others to enjoy. This has contributed in making this one of the largest collection of nut cracking devices in the world.

The museum shows the ingenuity of man in doing the simple task of opening a nutshell, and shows the development of the nutcracker over thousands of years, from the nutting stone of the world’s early inhabitants to the ever popular wooden toy soldier nutcracker of today. There has been no other collectible or tool created that has shown such a wide diversity of materials, design, or mechanism.

FUNDING FOR THE MUSEUM:
Rental space in the building, museum entry fees and the small gift shop provide for the upkeep of the building, the general maintenance of the museum, salaries, insurance, and additional specimens for display in the museum. The museum’s small gift shop brings in additional revenue. Many of the items being sold have been donated by people downsizing their collections or from families of deceased collectors. When nutcrackers are donated, those not used for museum displays are sold in the gift shop with proceeds to help support the museum. Tax deductible forms are provided for large donations.

The museum has received monetary gifts from individuals and several grants from civic and governmental bodies which have been greatly appreciated.


09/30/22

 


Quick Links


Dogs that are able to be carried at all times may come into the museum.

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 the museum at least 30 minutes before closing.

Nutcracker Lady Gift Shop

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)