Ross Ward was born to paint, carve and tinker. As a boy growing up in the Midwest, he was captivated by the tiny villages, farms and circuses created by “spare-time carvers.” His own miniature world began with circus figures carved while in junior high school – now on display in the museum.  He began carving the first figures for the turn-of-the-century general store in 1962.

Ross carved and built as a hobby for most of his adult life, but he was even more prolific in other artistic endeavors: painting, etching, drawing and sculpture. A self-taught artist, he worked as a carnival show-painter for over 30 years, traveling the country to paint on all the major carnivals and in winter quarters from Texas to Florida.

Far more than an impressive collection of miniatures and memorabilia of all kinds, Tinkertown is a living testimonial to Ross Ward’s belief in self-determination and independence. It is evidence of his curiosity and enthusiasm, and of his singular pursuit to create an artist-built environment in the style of some of his role models, Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey’s Bottle Village in California and Reverend Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Georgia. What was once just the dream of a small boy has grown from a single building welcoming 943 visitors in 1983 to a world-renowned roadside attraction hosting some 25,000 visitors each season.

In February of 1998, at age 57, Ross was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. He died on November 13, 2002. His wife, Carla Ward, has continued and expanded his legacy by maintaining and running Tinkertown in his memory.

Tinkertown has always been self-sustaining and now moves into a new, exciting phase. In 2026, the Ward Family made the decision to convert the Museum into a public non-profit to ensure it will inspire and entertain people for years to come. Your support will help preserve the art work, buildings, and spirit of Tinkertown. As Ross would say, “The show must go on!”