Warther Carving Museum - Dover, Oh. - Railroad Museums on Waymarking.com

At the Warther Carving Museum in Dover, Ohio, visitors will experience the amazing talent of Ernest “Mooney” Warther, who turned a hobby into what has been call a one of a kind, priceless collection.

Ernest “Mooney” Warther was born and lived his entire life in Dover, Ohio. During his childhood a young Mooney found a small pen knife and began to whittle to pass the time while he was tending his neighbor’s cows. While still a young child a hobo showed “Mooney how to whittle a pair of working pliers from a single piece of wood. From these simple pliers would come one of the most amazing collections of hand carving in the world. With only a second grade education, Mooney developed a love for the steam engine, and created himself a workshop where gave up whittling and began carving the history of the steam engine. Over the years “Mooney” Warther would carve move than 60 steam engines beginning with the Hero’s steam engine, which dates to 250 BC and ending with an exact scale replica of the Union Pacific Big Boy in 1941. Today, Mooney’s Carvings are on display at the Warther Carving Museum in Dover, Ohio. The Museum showcases the 64 ebony, ivory and walnut train carvings created by “Mooney.” This one-of-a-kind collection that has been appraised by the Smithsonian Institution as a “priceless work of art.”

One of the most amazing carvings at the Warther Museum is the Plier Tree, which contains a total of 511 working pliers carved from a single block of wood. The Plier Tree took 31,000 cuts and took from June 24, to August 28, 1913 to complete.

The Great Northern Mountain 4-8-4 locomotive is considered one of Mooney Warther's finest carvings, His carving of this locomotive consisted of 7,752 individually carved pieces. It was his favorite creation. The Great Northern is made from ebony, ivory and pearl, the carving was completed in 1933 when Mooney was 48 years old.

Another of “Mooney’s” amazing creations is the exact replica of the Lincoln Funeral Train, which was completed on April 14, 1965 – the 100th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination. The Lincoln Funeral Train is carved from Ebony and Ivory with mother of pearl accents and a carving of Lincoln’s body rests in a casket is visible in the center car.

One of “Mooney’s” largest creations is The Union Pacific "Big Boy." This carving is made of Burled walnut and ivory, and was carved from January 19 to October 30, 1953 and was completed on his 68th birthday. As with all of Mooney's carvings, it is mechanically accurate and carved to a scale of 1/2 inch to the Foot. Wheels, Pistons, Flyrods, Driving Arms, and Valves all operate just like the actual steamer. Even the bell swings.

The Warther Carving Museum is located at 331 Karl Avenue in Dover, Ohio. The museum is open 7-Days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult Admission (2012) is $13.00.

Source/Credit: (visit link)

Museum Website: [Web Link] Train ride provided?: no Actual railroad cars or locomotives on display?: yes Admission fee?: $13.00 Street Address: 331 Karl Avenue, Dover, Ohio Gift shop?: yes Café/restaurant?: no Theater?: no Other features?: Mooney Warther's Work Shop and Frieda Warther's Button Collection.

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Date Logged Log   09/10/2016 redwolf5 visited it