Department 56 began as part of Bachman’s, a premiere retail florist in Minneapolis. Bachman’s used a numbering system to identify each of its departments. The number assigned to wholesale gift imports division was, you guessed it, 56! In 1976, the department began to take shape as the Dept 56 you know it today with the introduction of six hand-painted, lighted ceramic buildings, the beginnings of the Original Snow Village® displays.
From the Original Snow Village Series
The Department 56 Snow Village was inspired one Christmas evening when a group of friends went out to dinner at a small country inn nestled in a quiet river town. The lights sparkled on the new fallen snow, inspiring the visitors with Christmas memories. To preserve the magic of the moment, the idea for a miniature lighted Christmas village was born.
Now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Department 56 is the premier name in giftware and collectibles, including hand-painted porcelain bisque Snowbabies™. But Department 56 is still best know for its charming hand-crafted lighted village displays, which have been expanded to include not only The Snow Village Series, but The North Pole Series, The Dickens’ Village Series and many more. Festive fall displays are also possible now with Dept 56 Halloween buildings and accessories.
From the Legends of Sleepy Hallow-een series
Create stunning, memorable displays that reflect your style and imagination. From the quaint Dickens and Snow Villages to the magical North Pole to spooky Sleepy Hallow, Department 56 villages are thoughtfully created using hand-craftsmanship and the highest level of architectural detail to achieve authenticity. And what better place to put together the village of your dreams than our very own Little Traveler building in the picturesque village of Geneva, Illinois?
Each year, certain Dept 56 products are retired. See which village items will be retired at the end of 2010.