Dover, OH - The Warther Museum

While we were in Dennison we learned about a master carver who had a museum in Dover, OH which is not too far from New Philadelphia.  On the 11th we drove over to see the museum deemed "Priceless" by the Smithsonian, a AAA Gem Attraction, and a 5 star TripAdvisor Attraction.    The museum has been open since 1936.

Ernest "Mooney" Warther was born in 1885 to Swiss immigrant parents.   He began his carving legacy by whittling hundreds of pairs of working pliers.  After he had mastered whittling, he began carving.   His focus was the evolution of the steam engine, eventually carving the time periods from late B.C. up to the introduction of diesel engines in the mid-1900's.   His major works depict a working steel mill, the 511 pliers from a single block of wood, and the Lincoln Funeral train.   Over 64 carvings reside at the museum, hand carved out of ebony, ivory, and walnut.

He and his wife collected 5000 arrowheads and points and can be seen in his original workshop.   His wife, Frieda collected and mounted buttons which she collected over the course of her life.   The 73,000 piece collection is housed in the original museum building.  

Definitely a museum to see!