Tinkertown!

This past Sunday, Shayne and I visited the Tinkertown Museum and grounds in the Sandia Mountains, New Mexico. I'd heard about this place and wanted to see it in person. Wow! Ross Ward, the creator of Tinkertown, starting carving figures for the various miniature vignettes in 1962. He continued his folk art passion until his premature death in 2002. Ward's family maintains and adds to the musem.

Most of the exhibits are housed in these ramshackle buildings, resembling an old western town

Not only are there carved vignettes of old western towns (some of them are animated), circuses and such, there is a collection of western memorabilia, antiques and Americana in the winding hallways of this rambling museum.

Photographs really do not do this place justice. You must visit to see the work that went into this interesting folk art environment!

The Circus with animated features

Tiny carved men working on a tiny carved building! I have a feeling that this place will never be finished!

Detail of tiny carved horses

Click on photos to embiggen

Outdoors there is a wall made of bottles, a large yacht, a decorated art car and more. 

Decorated Art Jeep

Bottle Wall

Thanks for driving us out to the Sandia Mountains to see this cultural landmark, Shayne!