Warther Museum & Gardens
Description
www.thewarthermuseum.com Turn of the century Dover, Ohio was like most small towns of the day. Residents worked hard, believed in progress, took pride in their community and sat down together to enjoy the evening meal.
Such was the case for one of Dover’s most famous residents, Ernest “Mooney” Warther. Born in 1885 to Swiss immigrants, Mooney, as he was known to all, would leave a mark in the community that is still visible to this day.
Mooney found his way out of the steel mills where he worked and into his workshop where he began making knives in order to make carvings of ebony, ivory, and walnut, a hobby that would later make him a recognizable figure across the nation.
With only a second grade education, Mooney would become a master carver that can only be explained through his genius. Noted professors from Case Western Reserve explained the degree of skill in the creation of the pliers tree, one of Mooney’s more unique carvings, would require an advanced degree in mathematics. His talent lives on in members of his family and his story is told in a family-friendly museum that celebrates the life of this remarkable man.
Warther Museum is like no other museum in the world. Situated on eight acres in the tree-lined residential neighborhood where Mooney once lived, the Swiss chalet-styled Warther Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the life of Mooney, his wife Frieda and their family.
Still operated by the third and fourth generation of the Warther family, Warther Museum features Mooney’s home, restored to appear as it would when he and Frieda started their life together. Mooney’s original workshop, built in 1912, features his tools, an extensive collection of Native American arrowheads and the fireplace where he would forge the steel he used in the kitchen knives. In the museum are the priceless collection of 64 ebony, ivory, and walnut trains carved by Mooney at different stages of his life. Each carving is painstakingly accurate with moving parts that are remarkably to scale.
The truly unique button house is home to Frieda Warther’s collection of more than 73,000 buttons displayed on the walls and ceiling of the quaint structure located just outside the original Warther home on the edge of the garden.
Throughout every season of each year, the Swiss styled garden is meticulously maintained. It remains a dear reminder to the Warther family of their proud Swiss heritage.
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.comHomeschool to Museum Day
We will be hosting a Homeschool to Museum Day again on April 28th. The day will entail educational material surrounding our current exhibit of the Edward and Lula Richard Native American Artifact exhibit. As one of the largest private collections, the Richard collection contains points, tools, and other artifacts from many time periods and from multiple excavation locations across the United States, Mexico, and Nova Scotia. Presentation times are: 10 am for K-2, 11am for 3-6, and a craft/activity will be at noon. Extention activity and general information sheets will be given to take home. There will also be an in-museum activity sheet to learn about various Native American tribes and cultures.
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In honor of the United States entering World War I 100 years ago, here is how the war impacted one Dover man's life who was very close to Mooney. John Richard, Mooney's brother-in-law and best friend would join the army in July of 1918. He would fight on the ground in France, and notably he was one of the last men killed in the war, dying in battle on November 10th, 1918. He was issued this trench knife, French-made as well as was given this medical kit. The family has his photograph in an Army frame, with the eagle adorning the top. These items are a part of the Warther Collection. Mooney and Frieda exchanged letters with John while he was overseas. Unfortunately, they did not receive word of John's death until a month and several unanswered letters later.
The Edward and Lula Richard Native American Artifact Collection
Ernest “Mooney” Warther has been inspiring people from around the world with his carvings since the early 1900’s. His wife Frieda led a life which inspired the women of the area with her artistic ability and gardening know-how. Mooney and Frieda each had their hobbies, but the couple also had one they shared. That hobby was walking through the valley every Sunday looking for Native American artifacts—arrowheads, points, and small tools, found mostly in the freshly plowed fields of local farmers. This simple hobby would greatly impact the life of Frieda’s youngest sibling, Edward Richard, who tagged along on most of the walks alongside the Warther children. It was those walks that made an impression on Edward, ultimately beginning his collection and his desire to discover these little glimpses into another time and culture. Eddie continued his interest and passion for artifacts and preservation throughout his entire life, and it has culminated in this esteemed collection, noted as one of the largest private collections today. After marrying his wife Lula, the Richards would spend a great deal of time traveling throughout North America, excavating as they went. They focused most of their time in Mexico, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, and Nova Scotia, but they would excavate in several other places as well. The amount of history the Richards collected is impressive for a private collection, and upon the passing of the husband and wife, the collection was entrusted to the Warther Museum for educational and preservation purposes. This April will be the second time in history that the collection will be open to the public. From April 1st to May 1st the Edward and Lula Richard Collection will be displayed at the Warther Museum. The collection will be available for viewing during regular museum hours, 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. For more information, please view the Warther Museum website at thewarthermuseum.com or call at (330) 343-7513.
Photos from Warther Museum & Gardens's post
Ernest “Mooney” Warther has been inspiring people from around the world with his carvings since the early 1900’s. His wife Frieda led a life which inspired the women of the area with her artistic ability and gardening know-how. Mooney and Frieda each had their hobbies, but the couple also had one they shared. That hobby was walking through the valley every Sunday looking for Native American artifacts—arrowheads, points, and small tools, found mostly in the freshly plowed fields of local farmers. This simple hobby would greatly impact the life of Frieda’s youngest sibling, Edward Richard, who tagged along on most of the walks alongside the Warther children. It was those walks that made an impression on Edward, ultimately beginning his collection and his desire to discover these little glimpses into another time and culture. Eddie continued his interest and passion for artifacts and preservation throughout his entire life, and it has culminated in this esteemed collection, noted as one of the largest private collections today. After marrying his wife Lula, the Richards would spend a great deal of time traveling throughout North America, excavating as they went. They focused most of their time in Mexico, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, and Nova Scotia, but they would excavate in several other places as well. The amount of history the Richards collected is impressive for a private collection, and upon the passing of the husband and wife, the collection was entrusted to the Warther Museum for educational and preservation purposes. This April will be the second time in history that the collection will be open to the public. From April 1st to May 1st the Edward and Lula Richard Collection will be displayed at the Warther Museum. The collection will be available for viewing during regular museum hours, 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
Photos from Warther Museum & Gardens's post
Frieda Warther, Mooney's wife, created works of art through her own passions. Spring to fall, she painted her backyard with the colors of nature in the form of thousands of perennials and annuals. But it was in the winter months that she created her permanent works of art: her button collection. With well over 100,000 buttons in total, she created designs and patterns which currently bring the one room display to life. It took her years to complete, but she sorted the buttons by color, shape, type, and size. The designs were inspired mostly by the buttons in each panel, many of which look like quilt squares. Her buttons go beyond the average. Her collection includes metal, brass, glass, calico, hand-painted, funny, rubber and many more types of buttons. Frieda truly appreciated the little things in life and made the most of the humblest type of every day item.
Photos from Warther Museum & Gardens's post
100 years ago, Mooney Warther would carve 6 different steam engines. Although smaller than a lot of his well known works, these engines were crucial to the history of steam. Moreover, they are intricate and quite delicate works. The first carving for the year was Mooney's second edition of the DeWitt Clinton. He started it on December 25th, 1916 and finished it on February 13th, 1917. The very next day, he began his work on George Stephenson's Rocket and would finish it June 27th, 1917.
Homeschool to Museum Day- The History of Photography
Next Friday will be our first Homeschool to Museum day! The focus for that day will be on the History of Photography. If you have any questions, please let us know!
Homeschool to Museum Day- The History of Photography
The Warther Museum will be having a Homeschool to Museum day. The focus of February's Friday session will be the History of Photography. Any students will be $4 and adults will be $10. This cost includes full museum access (optional guided tour), an age appropriate presentation, scavenger hunt, and extension activities. Presentation times for K-2nd graders is 10am and for 3rd-5th graders 11am. Please bring a camera of your choice to participate in the scavenger hunt. In addition, there will be an optional craft ($1 per person additional), which will take place from 12-12:30pm. Pre-registration is required for the craft (please email info@thewarthermuseum.com or call 330-343-7513 ext. 206 to register). Just a reminder, the Warther Museum will still be operating under winter hours, 10am to 4pm, with last guided tour beginning at 3pm.
Photos from Warther Museum & Gardens's post
As 2016 is coming to a close, we thank everyone for their support throughout the year. It never ceases to amaze us here at the Warther Museum the outpouring of love and support for Mooney and Frieda and their dreams. We are so incredibly proud to have the opportunity to keep their dreams alive, to show and inspire thousands of people each year through one couple's art, passion, and determination. Mooney and Frieda led such humble lives, which shows us today the power behind dedication, the inspiration behind passion, and the unity of people from all over the world who came to see one man's work in Dover, Ohio. We thank you so much for your kind words, shared memories, visits to the museum, donations, and generous support. Furthermore, we are thankful for our wonderful staff, continuously bringing to life the story and history of Mooney and Frieda. 2016 has been a great year and we look forward to all that 2017 has in store for the Warther Museum!
Photos from Warther Museum & Gardens's post
Here is a sneak peek at just a few of the trees from our Christmas Tree Festival that will be starting on Saturday November 12th and running through the 20th! We are so excited for our 23rd Annual show and the Union Hospital Auxiliary has truly outdone themselves this year! Please stop in over the course of the week to see the festival and the 99 decorated trees, as well as wreaths and other home decor. Proceeds benefit the Union Hospital Auxiliary. Admission is $5 for anyone 12 and older.
The Warther Christmas Tree Festival
The 23rd Annual Warther Christmas Tree Festival begins on November 12th and runs through November 20th. Festival hours are 11:00am to 8:00pm every day and on the closing day, November 20th, hours are 11am to 5pm. Admission is $5 for everyone over the ages of 12. Come and see over 100 trees and wreaths decorated with a variety of themes, with no two alike! This fundraiser is put on by The Union Hospital Auxiliary and proceeds benefit their organization.
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