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Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 28 • July 10, 2025
Unique new attraction in KM: The Nutcracker Museum By Loretta Cozart Nathan and Madonna Martin have announced the opening of the Nutcracker Museum, a delightful new destination at 210 S. Piedmont Avenue in downtown Kings Mountain. The Museum opened on Friday, June 27. This vibrant venture, brought to life by Nathan and Madonna Martin, showcases an extraordinary collection of nutcrackers with a heartwarming backstory. This nutcracker journey began with Margaret Cook, who had a passion for collecting nutcrackers as a tribute to military personnel, police officers, and first responders. Starting her collection around 2012, Margaret aimed to honor the military service of her family members during World War II. Her
passion for nutcrackers caught the attention of her son, Dr. Mark Cook, who often shopped with her. It didn’t take long before he became a collector, too. After Margaret’s passing in June 2019, Dr. Cook took on the task of preserving her collection, cleaning and repairing the cherished nutcrackers, and expanding the collection even further. Now, thanks to Nathan and Madonna, their hard work over the past eight months has transformed 80 – 45-gallon totes of nutcrackers into a captivating display. Visitors can explore what might one of the largest collections in the Southeast, featuring themes from military heroes to whimsical characters from Disney and beyond! Protected behind plexiglass in a climate-controlled setting, they will last for generations to come.
A corner of KM’s Nutcracker Museum.
The “Nutty for Nutcracker” Museum is now open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Photos by Loretta Cozart “Every corner in the museum has something unique waiting to be discovered,” says Madonna. “From a limitededition Steinbeck Pope Leo nutcracker to three President Trump figures, there’s truly something for everyone. We have Superheroes, Disney, holiday-themed, patriotic, and presidents… this is just the beginning. We have barely scratched the surface of this collection, and we are already planning the next exhibit.” The Nutcracker Museum will be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is affordable and perfect for families: free for children under two, just $3 for kids aged 3 to 11, and only $5 for adults. Don’t miss out on this enchanting experience. The Martins, who
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Historical figures, from the famous to the infamous. also own Flossy’s and Martin’s Electric, have certainly caught the “Nutcracker bug,” and they can’t wait to share their passion with you. Come discover the magic of nutcrackers; every visit promises a new adventure! The Martins have also established a 501(c) (3) nonprofit orga-
nization, if you wish to contribute to support the museum with items or donations. “We welcome field trips to tour the museum and have kept pricing reasonable to encourage everyone to visit,” said Madonna. “Be sure to drop by to see our Pope Leo nutcracker in person!”
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