Ernest Warther Museum & Gardens — Attraction in Dover

While my wife and I weren't originally planning on coming here we were totally blown away by this Museum. We had set out to visit another Museum but arrived one hour early and decided to check out Warther Museum to kill time. wow what a great find!! The presentation by the tour guide was phenomenal and the museum is really really nice inside don't let the exterior or theyre old home fool you its amazing inside! Also if you park in back lower lot you'll have an excellent opportunity to visit the train cars and beautiful area that Mr. WARTHER used to Relax In. This is one of Ohio's amazing museums that just does not get enough attention to the late MOONEY. Warther appeared on the Johnny Carson show as well as presented gifts to many famous people. I CHALLENGE anyone to find a more jaw-dropping gifted, talented, creative artist from Ohio. This man only had a second grade education and what he could do with his bare hands is beyond comprehensible as I sat there I just kept shaking my head more and more. His entire wood carving shop and house and button room ( his wifes hobby) are all intact just the way they were years and years ago .dont forget to take pics and walk through the family home. If you're coming to Ohio to visit and you're near Sugar Creek and Dover off Rt 77 you absolutely must come here. His main sculpturing themes are steam locomotives and trains. One of his sons or grandsons also has a museum nearby (though modern) in which HE sculpts ships and boats (nearby). Also nearby is The Farm( unbelievable place and must see) and youll get good eats at The Dutchman Restaurant! We'll be back with lots...

An absolute gem of a place that blew all of us away.

We planned on stopping here on our way to tour some local wineries and wanted to spend an hour or so while waiting for them all to open. We ended up spending a lot more than an hour as we were absolutely captivated by the meticulous creations of both "Mooney" Warther and his wife.

What an amazing place! Ernest, worked in a local steel mill and then made knives. He then started carving scale steam locomotives using wood and bone and later ivory. The museum shows off his works. Anyone who has an appreciation for steam locomotives and their history will want to spend time here. Anyone who has an appreciation for craftsmanship will want to spend time here as well. And if the trains are not enough, the button work that his wife did is almost as amazing - but there are significantly less works on display.

I frequently found myself with my mouth literally hanging open as I realized the level of craftsmanship it took to make any of these models. Not only are they finely carved, but any piece that moved in real life, moves on the models. The museum guides tell you that Ernest invited railroad engineers to look over his completed models and tell him if they see any errors - and they could not find one thing out of place.

The grounds are also nice to visit as well as the house that they lived in. I would recommend touring those before the actual museum as anything you do after the tour itself will feel like a letdown - and it's almost...

I heard about this place Ernest Warther Museum but nothing anyone can say will prepare you for the genius of this man with a second-grade education. He is the best carver in the world, as German master carvers exclaimed him to be. One must see these works to believe them. Ripley said he didn't believe it but Ernest showed him some of his work and made a believer out of him. What a mind Mr. Warther had. He could see an intricate machine once and had it locked in his brain. Like the steam engines he carved out of wood and cow bone, later replacing all cow bones with ivory, except for one locomotive engine. He was a pacifist, so only used ivory from animals that died from natural causes, like old age. His wife put together patterns using buttons, they are displayed on the walls and ceiling of a small building next to the gift shop. It is all just incredible. I can't tell you how many times I uttered the word "incredible" throughout the 3 hours I was there. I am glad I saw this before passing from this world. It is just that special and should be on everyone's bucket list. You don't have to be into trains, steam engines, or carving to enjoy this museum but if you are, you are going to appreciate the genius behind his creations that much more. There is much more to say about this hidden American gem but I'll leave you with this. Do yourself a favor and visit this...