Welcome to Luverne, Minnesota, where the number of nutcrackers has surpassed the number of people.In the town’s history center, there are 5,012 nutcrackers. More than 3,000 of them belong to one woman. Betty Mann told WCCO she used to keep them all in her house. She began collecting them in 2001 after a tough year and then began collecting them as she traveled. She proudly wears a shirt that says “crazy nutcracker lady.”When the town was trying to find a way to attract tourists, it was suggested that Mann’s collection be relocated to the history center. The idea was a success.”We’ve had people from as far away as Florida. They come from all over,” she said. “Most people are just kind of in awe.”There are nutcrackers made of Legos and nutcrackers dressed as pirates, Santas, police and the Wizard of Oz. The nutcrackers also range in size, from 7 feet tall to 7 inches. They also come from all over the world. “We have eight cabinets here that are all from Germany,” Mann said.The work put into this collection has paid off through the reactions of visitors, Mann added. “When they come in, children especially, their eyes get big. Oh my goodness — they look around and they can’t believe it,” she said. Watch the video above to see the town’s collection on display.
Welcome to Luverne, Minnesota, where the number of nutcrackers has surpassed the number of people.
In the town’s history center, there are 5,012 nutcrackers. More than 3,000 of them belong to one woman.
Betty Mann told WCCO she used to keep them all in her house.
She began collecting them in 2001 after a tough year and then began collecting them as she traveled. She proudly wears a shirt that says “crazy nutcracker lady.”
When the town was trying to find a way to attract tourists, it was suggested that Mann’s collection be relocated to the history center. The idea was a success.
“We’ve had people from as far away as Florida. They come from all over,” she said. “Most people are just kind of in awe.”
There are nutcrackers made of Legos and nutcrackers dressed as pirates, Santas, police and the Wizard of Oz. The nutcrackers also range in size, from 7 feet tall to 7 inches. They also come from all over the world.
“We have eight cabinets here that are all from Germany,” Mann said.
The work put into this collection has paid off through the reactions of visitors, Mann added.
“When they come in, children especially, their eyes get big. Oh my goodness — they look around and they can’t believe it,” she said.
Watch the video above to see the town’s collection on display.
