German holiday heirlooms on display at museum

Antique nutcrackers, smokers and Christmas pyramids from Germany will take center stage at the Hancock Historical Museum's annual open house this weekend. Hours are 5-8 p.m. today and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $1 per person. Curator/archivist Joy Bennett said the nutcrackers, smokers and Christmas pyramids were part of a private collection that belonged to Waltraud Mullinger of Findlay. Bennett got a phone call from Waltraud's son, Ralph Mullinger, and his wife, Dawn, who had been dealing with her estate after her death in 2022. "She was from Germany so she had this collection of German nutcrackers. So each family member took one and then they had a whole bunch left over. She had a pretty sizeable collection," said Bennett, adding that Waltraud had smokers and pyramids as well. "She really loved her Christmas in Germany." The Mullingers asked if the museum would like to have the collectibles. "And I have to admit, I don't have a lot of space. So I talked to them about just setting up a display for a year," said Bennett. The idea was to display the pieces for a year, then sell them with proceeds benefiting the museum. "This way people get to see them. You get to learn about the history. And then you have the opportunity of purchasing one maybe next year," Bennett said. The nutcrackers, which are very traditional Christmas items, were initially made to crack walnuts. Beginning in the 1950s, these wooden pieces became more decorative. Bennett said that post-World War II American soldiers stationed in Germany would buy these items as gifts to send home. "So what's really interesting about this collection is we do have a couple of pieces that are very specific, like they have a stamp on them that says they were made in East Germany," she said. "That's super interesting because during the Cold War, East Germany is not the American side, it was the Russian side. So they are working really hard to make these beautiful pieces that none of them can afford to buy and sell to Americans in the west." Nutcrackers eventually became quite popular, especially after the production of the ballet, "The Nutcracker." Smokers, meanwhile, were created to hold incense. "Smokers are in two pieces and they come apart," said Bennett "You put incense in them and they have a pipe or their mouths open. Smoke from the incense comes out and the nutcrackers look like it's smoking a pipe." Nutcrackers are tall and soldierly, while smokers are more round and jolly like Santa, she said. Smokers were also symbols of good luck and said to frighten away malevolent spirits. A Christmas pyramid is like an elaborate candleholder. Warm air rises from the lighted candles which makes the blades above spin. The carousel is decorated with nativity scenes and other Christmas figures such as angels and wise men, said Bennett, as well as worldly motifs such as mining folk and forest scenes. All three were made by craftsmen in the Ore Mountains. The exhibit is displayed on the spiral staircase in the entrance of the Hull House. The museum facilities will be decorated for the holidays, with activities, games and crafts for all ages. Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus will visit, and guests will sample seasonal goodies cooked over the hearth in the Log House. This evening, visitors can listen to live music in the Hull House parlor with the Findlay String Factor Quintet from Findlay High School. The Findlay-Hancock Public Library, Hancock Park District, Hancock County Health Department, OSU Extension Office and Blanchard River Watershed Partnership will also provide additional activities for families. On Sunday, holiday storytelling will be provided by Cindy Habegger. The museum gift shop will be open for Christmas shopping. Ideas include antique Findlay Glass and local history books. Children's book will be given to the first 75 families to attend the open house, courtesy of the Richard Barchent Education Fund. For more information, call the museum at 419-423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org