This gloriously silly and extensive Hitty scale miniature town was recommended by staff at the New Mexico welcome center. More info at the other end of this picture post, but first come with me to Tinkertown…
There were many more exhibits at the museum plus walls made of glass bottles and paths inset with horseshoes, but the Hitty sized dioramas were the mind-bogglingist main attraction. I could just imagine a flock of Hittys excitedly hurrying to pay for their $1 ticket for the circus, or being slightly scandalized yet intrigued by goings on in the Western town.
Everything in this exhibit (a traveling exhibit at first) reflects the energy and humor of its creator. The Tinkertown website tells about carver and folk artist, Ross Ward, and his lifetime of building these rambunctious scenes.
This quirky, sort-of-open-air-ish museum can be found along the Turquoise Trail backroad that leads from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. It’s open April – October, and it’s worth bearing in mind that the outdoor temperature is also the indoor museum temperature. Our visit on the last day of tourist season was a distracting 21F.
Whoopsadaisy Dollhouse 