This colorful museum in New Mexico is the brainchild of Ross Ward, an avid collector of all things old, unusual, and miniature. Ward was a self-taught woodcarver and was fascinated by the world of small figurines. He spent nearly 30 years traveling across country as a show painter, saving one-of-a-kind finds to add to his display. The Tinkertown Museum is a place to see his beautiful collection of oddities, artwork, and imagination.

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Ross Ward worked over 40 years on this project. At age 57, much of his involvement in these projects ceased due to the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease in 1998, but when Mr. Ward passed away in 2002, his wife and family carried on his work and continued his creative dreams through the Tinkertown Museum.

You can come witness Ross Ward’s artistic vision and honor his commitment by visiting his masterpiece, which is only a few miles west of Albuquerque. This amazing museum is open every year to visitors in mid March through the end of October. The Tinkertown Museum is open 7 days a week and definitely worth a visit. Ross Ward’s creativity, innovation, and dedication live on in this little hidden gem in New Mexico.

Photographer David Cooper travels across the Southwest and Western states, exploring the beautiful, unique, and little-known spots along the way. His adventures have carried him to Tent Rocks and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, a Viking Castle at Lake Tahoe, and Bryce Canyon In Utah.

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