Decades of Tradition
Our History
Established in 2005 by Jeff Eldridge and Chris Wirth, Liberty Puzzles is the product of their shared passion for the rich history and social experience of wooden jigsaw puzzles.
Wirth’s great-grandmother was friends with the owners of Chagrin Falls wooden puzzles, which sprang up in the post-Depresssion era as a small, family company. The Wirth family inherited more than 100 Chagrin Falls puzzles, which quickly became the centerpiece of their family vacations. Piece by piece, hours of shared attention turned into generations of cherished family memories. The Wirths wanted other families to be able to have that same shared experience and hence the company was born. Liberty Puzzles are designed to bring the intricacy, craftsmanship, and beauty of classic wooden jigsaw puzzles to new generations of collectors.
Some twenty years on, the founders are still at it — designing, manufacturing, and distributing heirloom-quality wooden jigsaw puzzles from their hometown of Boulder, Colorado, USA.
As of today, Liberty Puzzles proudly employs more than 100+ people including their first-ever employee across two facilities in Boulder county.
Since 1766
Wooden Puzzle History
Jigsaw puzzles were first known as dissected maps: John Spilsbury, a London mapmaker and engraver is largely credited with inventing the jigsaw puzzle in 1766. But, it was the 1930s that brought jigsaw puzzles to the masses through the golden age of jigsaw puzzles. The Great Depression left people searching for affordable forms of entertainment, and wooden jigsaw puzzles provided just that. This led to a worldwide jigsaw puzzle craze; it’s estimated that 30 million households in the U.S. were absorbing 10 million jigsaw puzzles a week. Jigsaw puzzles during this time were still made of wood and hand-cut using a scroll saw, but numerous companies sprang up to meet the new demand, eventually leading to the advent of even cheaper, easier-to-produce, die-cut puzzles. By the early 1940s, die-cut puzzles overwhelmed the market, leaving wooden jigsaw puzzles to become heirlooms of the original artform. Jigsaw puzzle collectors prize the classic wooden jigsaw puzzles that started this craze for their intricacy, craftsmanship, and the “heft” of the pieces. For the serious puzzler, there is nothing quite as satisfying as plunking a wooden piece into place.
Honoring the Past with Excellence
What Makes Us So Special
01
Whimsy Pieces
Uniquely-cut pieces with a story
02
Locally Made
Made in Boulder, CO, for 20 years
03
Superior Materials
1/4" thick wood cut by lasers
04
Artist Support
1000+ designs from talented artists
05
Piece Replacement
We'll remake/replace a lost piece
06
Exquisite Packaging
Beautiful collector's item or gift
Our Mission
Sit Long, Talk Much
We design Liberty Puzzles to deliver hours of entertainment and believe they are best enjoyed in good company. So, set your phone down, gather your loved ones around a Liberty Puzzle and spend some quality time together!
Tradition
Liberty Puzzles are meant to pay homage to the original wooden jigsaw puzzles of the past few centuries. We aim to create new traditions while honoring old.
Time Together
There is nothing more valuable than time with other human beings whom you love. We hope a Liberty Puzzle can be one of the ways that people come together and enjoy each other's company.
Behind The Scenes
Get to Know Us Better
Visit our Flagship Store
Shop our curated collection of puzzles in-person at our retail store on the Pearl Street Mall located at 1468 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO.
Take a Factory Tour
Come see how each Liberty Puzzle is made with a tour. Small groups only; not recommended for small children. Stop by from 10-4pm weekdays at 2526 49th Street Boulder, CO.
Follow Along from Afar
Follow us @LibertyPuzzles on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what’s new. Be on the lookout for new releases, behind-the-scene footage, contests and more.