Ernest Warther Museum celebrating 90 years of creativity

Some artists create divine work on canvas with acrylics, pencil or watercolor. Others use clay as their source of inspiration to craft lasting works of art.

Ernest “Mooney” Warther found his gift was in a different artisan genre. His creative side showed up through precision, imagination and storytelling with wood.

A native of Dover, Warther became famous for carving detailed models of steam engines and locomotives entirely by hand, employing wood, ivory and ebony as his choice of work.

What set him apart wasn’t just craftsmanship, but also his ability to visualize and recreate complex mechanical systems that functioned. Some of his pieces have hundreds of tiny moving parts, showcasing his rare combination of spatial intelligence and artistic instinct.

Warther also had an almost playful side to his creativity. His intricate pliers tree, featuring dozens of pairs of pliers carved from a single piece of wood, blends art, puzzle-making and ingenuity.

Warther’s rare gift of carving led to an intriguing family history of carvers, and as a result, the Warther Museum in Dover has drawn multitudes of visitors to view not only the carvings, but also a wonderland of agricultural beauty.

This spring marks a special milestone for the Warther Museum as it celebrates 90 years since Ernest Warther first opened the doors to his original museum in 1936.

To commemorate this milestone, the museum will host WartherFest June 12-13 at 331 Karl Ave. in Dover, the site of Warther’s original home. The two-day event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, along with guided and self-guided tours of the museum, gardens and historic buildings.

“Mooney’s story is an inspirational American story that features a humble beginning and a family history that captures the heart of America,” said Kristen Harmon, Mooney’s great-granddaughter and current director. “We are honored to celebrate both his legacy and that of the entire family in this 90th year.”

Known to many as “Mooney,” Warther began carving as a young boy after discovering a pocketknife while working as a cowherd. Warther developed his craft through years of dedication, eventually creating intricate, hand-carved models that documented the evolution of the steam engine. Remarkably, each piece was crafted entirely by hand, without the use of power tools, glue or nails.

Before opening his museum, Warther displayed his growing collection in his home, where visitors began arriving in increasing numbers to see his work. In 1936 he opened a modest 10-by-12-foot museum to house more than 40 carvings.

It marked the beginning of something special, and not only could visitors view these stunning works of art, but also Warther was there to personally greet visitors and share the history behind each piece, creating an experience that continues to resonate with guests today.

Warther’s legacy expanded through the vision of his son Dave Warther, who returned home after World War II to build a larger space to showcase his father’s work. In 1963 that vision became reality with the opening of a new museum building — an expansion that Warther himself witnessed during the final decade of his life. Additional expansions in 1988 and 2002 brought the museum to its present size.

Today, the museum continues to evolve, with updated exhibits featuring historic photography, enhanced interpretive content and digitized video that brings Warther’s story to life for modern audiences. Visitors also can explore the family home, opened to the public in 2010, and the original museum building — now known as the “Button House” — where Warther’s wife Frieda displayed her extensive collection of buttons in elaborate geometric and quilt-like designs.

“One of Mooney’s inspirations was creating something that was going to be useful and be used as a teaching tool for children,” Harmon said, noting that throughout the years countless school children have taken field trips through the museum and come away amazed. “Kids love things that move and are mechanized, and Mooney wanted kids to gain insight into understanding mechanization.”

Not only children are captivated by the museum’s offerings. People travel to the museum from every part of the globe, with Warther Museum serving as a piece of history that connects Tuscarawas County with the world.

The grounds surrounding the museum remain an essential part of the experience. Designed by Frieda Warther, the gardens reflect their original 1913 layout and are refreshed annually with thousands of seasonal plantings in Swiss-style and alpine arrangements.

While Warther began carving decades before opening his museum, 2026 marks 90 years of sharing his work with the public. Through generations of family stewardship and continued community support, the museum remains dedicated to preserving and celebrating the life and artistry of Ernest and Frieda Warther.

Friday, June 12 will focus on dedicating the state Remarkable Ohio historic marker and the unveiling of the newly refurbished hall where Mooney carved the famous “Evolution of the Steam Engine.”

On Saturday, June 13, there will be a free arboretum tour, woodcarvers showcasing their talents from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., live music from 2:30-5 p.m., food trucks and various programs focusing on Frieda’s work on the grounds, and an introduction to woodcarving. There also will be local artists featured in the gift shop on hand to sign items.

For a full schedule of events and registration information, visit www.warthermuseum.com or email info@thewarthermuseum.com.