Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is a quirky tribute to the tool that opens nutshells. Admire the displays of nutcrackers of all shapes and sizes in this quaint pink-and-timber building of Bavarian design.
The museum contains around 5,000 nutcrackers. Note the vast range of designs for these tools, including wooden toy soldiers, Victorian silver tableware and handheld metal crackers. These vary from sleek professional utensils to amateur designs. Spot tools resembling celebrities, sports stars, presidents and Disney characters.
Use nutcrackers from centuries ago to open shells and feast on the nuts inside. Discover the many ways to crack nuts, from direct pressure and screws to percussion. Browse the nutting bowls that have survived for thousands of years. Kids can devise their own models with drawings. Show them the figures of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Christmas themes.
The museum aims to teach families about the nutritional value of nuts as well as the origins of nutcrackers, such as where they are from and what materials are used to make them. Peruse the models on sale in the Nussknacker shop on the floor beneath the museum.
Learn about ballet instructor and enthusiast of The Nutcracker ballet Arlene Wagner, who founded the museum in 1995 with her husband. Known as The Nutcracker Lady, Arlene started collecting these tools in the 1960s. Find out about the books, reviews and television reports about this famous collection. Arlene was a guest on Conan O’Brien’s talk show.
Visit the museum on any day from May to December between early afternoon and early evening. During the rest of the year, it only opens on weekends or by prior appointment. Adults pay an admission fee while young kids enter for free.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is in the heart of the charming city in central Washington. It is a 3-minute walk southwest from the Leavenworth Visitors Center and just to the north of the Wenatchee River and the Waterfront Park. Ride a bus to one of the stops along the main route that passes through the city.
