Department 56 Village Collections
Department 56 offers nearly 3,000 different collectible, giftware and holiday decorating products. It began as the wholesale gift import division (Dept 56) of Bachman's, a premiere retail florist in Minneapolis. Now an independent company, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Department 56 has become a leader in the giftware, collectibles, and holiday decorating industry. The lighted village series within The Original Snow Village® and The Heritage Village Collection® are the cornerstone of the Department 56 product line.
A Christmas Story
The Alpine Village Series
In 1986 Department 56 also introduced a third porcelain village the Alpine Village. The buildings and accessories in this village characterize the picturesque villages of the European Alps surrounded by snow-capped peaks and deep-blue alpine lakes. Many of the names on the buildings in this village appear in German.
All Hallows Eve
American Pride Collection
The fourth porcelain village, Christmas In The City, was introduced in 1987. It depicts the hustle and bustle of Christmas in the big city with Santa's on the street corner and shoppers hustling on sidewalks.
In 1984 Department 56 introduced its first porcelain village the Dickens' Village. Named for the famous author Charles Dickens, it features buildings and accessories based on Victorian England and depicts the places and people one might visualize while reading one of his novels. Several of Dickens' stories have been the basis for the village's designs including: Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, The Old Curiosity Shop, and especially A Christmas Carol. If you have read these novels or if you have ever visited England and stayed in London or Blackpool hotels you will know what kind of features you can expect for this charming series. The Dickens' Village portrays all that is England including countryside pieces with thatched roofs, maritime pieces, beautiful churches, formidable castles and palaces, and some of the nation's most famous structures.
Dickens “A Christmas Carol”
Disney Parks Village Series
Introduced in 1994, it was the seventh of the Heritage Villages, and was fashioned after existing buildings in the Disney Theme Parks. Retired in 1996, it was the first village to be completely retired.
Heritage Village Collection
Historical Landmark Series
Krinkles
Literary Classics Collection
In 1987 Department 56 also introduced its fifth porcelain village, Little Town Of Bethlehem, depicting the Nativity story. From 1987 to 1999 it was the only village to be sold as a complete set. It included twelve pieces and no individual pieces were ever added or retired. In 1999 the set was retired, but within weeks new releases were announced that added to the series. Now pieces can be purchased to complement the original set or to begin a new set. The new accessories are crafted in resin rather than porcelain allowing for more detail. In 2001 Little Town Of Bethlehem became a sub-series of The Holy Land™ Collection.
Meadowland
Merry Maker Monks
In 1986 Department 56 introduced a second porcelain village the New England Village. This village which captures the spirit and character of New England also includes Pennsylvania farms and the New York-based story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
The sixth porcelain village features the make believe world of Santa's Village. Introduced in 1990, it includes Santa's workshop, toy shops, candy makers, elves, and reindeer. In 1998 Elfland, a sub-community within the North Pole, was introduced. These buildings are slightly miniaturized to accommodate the smaller elfin figure, feature a unique architecture achieved with Byzantine onion-dome roofs, and include tiny gold bell attachments on each building for a melodious effect. In 2000 Department 56 began construction on a second housing subdivision, North Pole Woods. This whimsical treetop community, located in a dense forest at the edge of the North Pole, is the perfect place for Santa, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer to relax and unwind high above the everyday world. The North Pole Woods Collection was retired at the end of 2002.
Introduced in 1998, this village depicts a turn-of-the-century American resort village. It features the Shingle Style architecture popular at the time. In addition to the porcelain buildings, it also includes a variety of pewter accessory figurines dressed in period attire and structures such as pavilions, gatehouses, fountains, stone walls, and carriages. Although it is not part of the Heritage Village Collection, Seasons Bay has become very popular and is especially designed to be decorated for any season: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The Seasons Bay Series, including the lit buildings and accessories, was retired at the end of 2002.
Snowbunnies
The Holy Land Collection
The Original Snow Village Halloween
Time To Celebrate
Williamsburg
Legend of Sleepy Hallow-een
Winters Frost
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