Description
We are home to the world’s master carver, Ernest “Mooney” Warther. The museum showcases the 64 ebony, ivory and walnut train carvings, which is a one-of-a-kind collection that has been appraised by the Smithsonian Institution as a “priceless work of art.” Mooney lived in a time when steam locomotives were king, so many of his carvings are of the locomotives. In fact, the perfection and mechanizing of his steam locomotives earned him the title of “World’s Master Carver” in the 1920’s. Mooney carved as a hobby and made kitchen cutlery as a living. The family has been making kitchen cutlery since 1902, and you can view the knife shop during your tour. Mooney’s wife, Freida, was an artist in her own right. She was a button collector, amassing over 100,000 of them. She also designed and mounted her buttons on frames that are displayed in the button house.