"I'm on my knees putting these nutcrackers away and I pick up this box that this one nutcracker goes in, and I opened it up and it says "the story of the nutcrackers, the nutcracker village." And as I read this story, I'm looking at these nutcrackers and I said 'Wow, this is what we could do in Steubenville.' And that's where the spark took place. What's amazing is that Mark Nelson took a hold of it. When he comes up with the idea to do it and actually does one--a six-foot nutcracker--that was the beginning of this Nutcracker Village."
-Jerry Barilla, village inspiration and co-chair
About the Nutcracker Village™
The human race has sought creative ways to crack nuts for centuries. The earliest tools varied greatly between cultures, but they always involved some form of a lever or screw. Even Leonardo da Vinci drew up plans for a horse-powered press for the sole purpose of cracking nuts. It wasn’t until the late 17th century that German woodworkers created the wooden soldier-like nutcrackers that we know today. A traditional nutcracker is comprised of roughly 60 pieces and takes 130 steps to complete. They were mainly popular in Germany and the surrounding area and often given as good-luck keepsakes.
In 1816, Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed the now-famous “Nutcracker Ballet” based upon the book by E.T.A. Hoffman: “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” This created a small spike in nutcracker popularity, and in 1872 Wilhelm Fuchtner (considered the father of the nutcracker) discovered that by using a wood lathe he could create many nutcrackers of the same design to be sold commercially.
The seasonal demand for nutcrackers rose dramatically in World War II when American soldiers stationed in Germany bought the intriguing tools at German Christmas Markets and sent them home as gifts. Nutcrackers are no longer made only in Germany and are available in a huge variety of designs and sizes, always carrying on a tradition of seasonal cheer and memories.
As a community art project, life-size nutcrackers have been created 100% locally in the wood shop of Nelson’s of Steubenville. Each 6’ nutcracker is uniquely hand-painted, and many have been customized to reflect some theme or aspect of Steubenville. The nutcrackers are designed to withstand the winter elements, as they will be on display outside in the Nutcracker Village at Fort Steuben Park, from November until January.
"We hope that our nutcrackers bring you and your family much cheer and create many happy memories! Merry Christmas!"
-The Elves at Nelson's
In 1816, Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed the now-famous “Nutcracker Ballet” based upon the book by E.T.A. Hoffman: “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” This created a small spike in nutcracker popularity, and in 1872 Wilhelm Fuchtner (considered the father of the nutcracker) discovered that by using a wood lathe he could create many nutcrackers of the same design to be sold commercially.
The seasonal demand for nutcrackers rose dramatically in World War II when American soldiers stationed in Germany bought the intriguing tools at German Christmas Markets and sent them home as gifts. Nutcrackers are no longer made only in Germany and are available in a huge variety of designs and sizes, always carrying on a tradition of seasonal cheer and memories.
As a community art project, life-size nutcrackers have been created 100% locally in the wood shop of Nelson’s of Steubenville. Each 6’ nutcracker is uniquely hand-painted, and many have been customized to reflect some theme or aspect of Steubenville. The nutcrackers are designed to withstand the winter elements, as they will be on display outside in the Nutcracker Village at Fort Steuben Park, from November until January.
"We hope that our nutcrackers bring you and your family much cheer and create many happy memories! Merry Christmas!"
-The Elves at Nelson's
