Tinkertown Museum
October 11th, 2012 by chocko
On a recent journey to New Mexico, a definite highlight was a visit to Tinkertown Museum located on the Turquoise Trail in Sandia Park just 20 minutes from Albuquerque. Tinkertown features the amazing life work of the late folk artist Ross J. Ward. His wood-carved figures, animated miniature displays and impressive collection of circus and western memorabilia will take you back in time. The 22 room roadside attraction features walls made out of 50,000 bottles and if you explore it’s winding hallways, you will discover some of the residents such as Esmerelda the Fortune Teller and Otto the One-Man-Band. For a quarter, you can have your fortune told or be entertained with an old timey tune. The artist’s workshop can also be seen within the museums walls where countless hours must have been spent mastering his craft. Tinkertown is also home to a 35 foot antique wooden sailboat which went on a ten year voyage around the world. It was a real pleasure to chat with the friendly staff and especially to meet Carla Ward, Ross’ wife who continues to operate their museum which is a true testimony to an artist’s boundless creativity and imagination. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop by. Happy Trails!
“If you can dream it, you can build it and Tinkertown is my proof”
~ Ross J. Ward
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one’s little corner of Earth.” ~ Mark Twain
Tags: albuquerque, folk art, ross j ward, santa fe, tinkertown museum, turquoise trail
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