David Warther Carvings

Admission to David Warther Carvings in Sugarcreek is about $10/adult, $9/seniors, $5/student ages 7 – 18 (ages 1 – 6 are free). Website may have coupons for discounts.

  • When: Open April thru October from 9am to 5pm Monday thru Saturday. Closed Sundays and July 4th. November thru March see website for hours and days open.
  • Location: (Map It) 1775 State Route 39 in Sugarcreek, Ohio
  • Phone: 330-852-6096
  • Web: https://warther.org/

David Warther Carvings in Sugarcreek is a newer attraction located in the center of Ohio’s Amish community. The exhibit features over 80 carvings made by David Warther, a 5th generation carver of Swiss heritage. The carvings created by Warther depict the “ History of the Ship “ from 1st Dynasty Egypt to the present day. Created in miniature from legal antique ivory and ebony wood the details include intricate scrimshaw engraving and finely carved ivory rigging lines that measure just twice the thickness of a human hair. David carves daily in his on-site workshop where he regularly demonstrates carving techniques to the visiting public including his hand filing and sanding technique of making the ivory rigging lines. 

The exhibit consists of five spacious rooms dedicated to different eras of shipbuilding. The Medieval room with its Viking ships is a favorite among visitors as is the Ancient room where ancient Egyptian, Roman, Phoenician, and Greek ships convey the story, in David’s beautiful art form, of how ships appeared in these early times. Amish and Mennonite guides conduct lively tours of this interesting and highly educational exhibit. 

David Warther Carvings is an enjoyable place to visit for every member of the family, any season of the year. The hilltop portico and clock tower pavilion with its’ observation deck provide exceptional views and photo options of the neighboring Amish farms in Walnut Valley. The DWC is also home to the DWC Gift Shop that has become an attraction in itself and can be visited separately.