How We Chose Our Name

I am often asked how we chose the name "The Wooden Soldier" for our children's clothing business. Wooden soldiers have been cherished children's toys for generations. Miniature versions of them were traditionally used to decorate Christmas trees. One of the most popular of these figurines is the German nutcracker often associated with Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker Suite.

Since we live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where winter holidays are full of sparkling snow, and white Christmases are to be expected, we wanted to have a business with a name that reflected the traditional feel of Christmastime. We thought that the wooden soldier represented quality, tradition, and the spark of holiday excitement

Our Big 2011 Annual Tent Sale!

Our annual tent and warehouse sale has been going on and will continue through next weekend (Aug 21st). We've been running this special sale for nearly 20 years now, and it's become a favorite stop for many families, bargain hunters, and Wooden Soldier customers alike.

Our Intervale, NH location is a beautiful spot to have a picnic lunch and take a nature walk around our small pond. There's a beaver family there now, with two baby beavers...so cute. The Canada Geese are also there. Their seven goslings now almost full grown. Last week in the evening my husband spotted a bear on the far side of the pond. Unfortunately, he didn't have his camera. At a tent sale in years past, we even had a moose walk across our parking lot!
The scenery is fantastic and our two outlet stores have year round savings that are worth the trip.

We hope to see you under the Big Top!
Until Aug 21st, 2011
Daily 8:30am-7:00pm
The Wooden Soldier warehouse, Intervale, NH 03845

A Bit of History

I am happy to welcome you to The Wooden Soldier blog. My husband and I started our family owned business, The Wooden Soldier, in 1976. Since then we have had many interesting and rewarding experiences including raising a family, developing a business, and enjoying nature in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I hope you too will find pleasure in my recounting of these tales, as well my continuing thoughts on enjoying times with the ones you love.

In the beginning, our first shop and catalog was run out of an old farmhouse and attached barn that was built around 1876. After my husband and I purchased the building (over forty years ago), we renovated it ourselves, taking care to maintain its original character. To increase the "Old New England" feel, we laid brick pathways, and installed Victorian gas lanterns which illuminate the store fronts and the grassy common. Here we sold traditional wooden toys, fine porcelain dolls, and hand made Christmas ornaments to tourists passing through.

As time progressed, we added children's clothing that matched in style the toys and books we sold. Our wares included such themes as the Beatrice Potter and Paddington Bear series. The new arrival of our two daughters inspired us to expand our selection of children's clothing, as well as our clientele. In 1977, we sent out our first catalog offering heirloom children's clothing, unique Christmas gifts, and ornaments. Over the past 35 years our catalog has expanded, however our small barn store still welcomes customers today. If you are ever in the North Conway, NH area, we invite you to stop by and experience the quaint home of The Wooden Solider. "If you cant get there from here," enjoy our heirloom children's fashions and themed gifts at woodensoldier.com.

Welcome to The Wooden Soldier's blog

Coming soon, this blog will have our stories about running a family business, musings on children's clothing, and life in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.