The Almanac - The Village Chronicler

	The Almanac Revised 2/17/2024
The Almanac contains a listing of most of the key events and milestones in the history of Department 56. This timeline lists historical events of the company as well as village and subseries releases, giftware product releases, and those things deemed by The Village Chronicler to be the most interesting tidbits of information for new and current collectors. The latest updates are highlighted in Yellow Jump to the latest years (2023)
1976 Ed Bazinet established Department 56 as a spin-off of Bachman Holdings. Department 56, under the direction of Ed Bazinet, introduces six hand-painted ceramic buildings- The Inn, Gabled Cottage, Mountain Lodge, Small Chalet, and Steepled Church that become the foundation of The Original Snow Village and a new company specializing in lit Christmas Villages.
1977 The Original Snow Village expands to include three new buildings- Stone Church. Mansion and Victorian House.
1978 The first accent accessories are added to The Original Snow Village- Skating Rink and Duck Pond (s/2). Nantucket is released and becomes the longest offered design of its time until it retirement seven years later.
1979 The first six lit buildings of The Original Snow Village, often referred to as the “Original Six” are formally retired. Carolers (s/4) are introduced as the first official village accessories. Three of the most elusive pieces- Mission Church, Adobe House, and Mobile Home are introduced along with nine other new buildings. A small subseries, Meadowland, designed with no snow is introduced. It includes a cottage, church, a grouping of trees and set of twelve sheep. Department 56 begins using inscriptions on the bottom of lit buildings to distinguish them from copies and/or reproductions.
1980 Department 56 first uses white stickers with the year pieces are copyrighted on the bottom. Copyright and introduction years are notably different. Ceramic Car is the first automobile produced. Train Station becomes the first set issued and consists of a lighted building, three train cars and a track.
1981 Large Single Tree is offered and is the first lighted accessory. Individual cardboard boxes with blue writing are used for packaging.
1982 The first accessory to feature non-ceramic material, Snowman With Broom, is released. Wooden clip-on ornaments of six designs are produced.
1983 Individual brown cardboard boxes are changed to white with blue writing. The first metal attachment, a weathervane, appears on Town Hall.
1984 The Department 56 category of Bachman’s incorporated as Department 56, Inc. The Heritage Village Collection is introduced with buildings made of hand-painted porcelain, a matte finish, and a smaller footprint. The Dickens' Village Series is the first village series introduced under the Heritage Village Collection umbrella with designs reminiscent of Victorian London during the time of Charles Dickens. Green Grocer, Crowntree Inn, Golden Swan Baker, Bean and Son Smithy Shop, Jones & Co. Brush and Basket Shop, Candle Shop, and Abel Beesley Butcher become the foundation of the new collection and become known as the “original seven”. All packaging is changed to Styrofoam boxes wrapped with white sleeves and black and white art/pictures of pieces which include the name of each piece and the collections to which it belongs. Christmas Tree ornaments featuring colored lithograph artwork of six of the Dickens’ Village Series designs are introduced. The Candle Shop is notably missing and not part of the grouping.
1985 The first Bates Stamped, Numbered Limited Edition for any collection is as an Early Release to Gift Concept Creations (GCC) dealers. With a limited quantity of 2,500 pieces, Dickens’ Village Mill is highly sought after and remains so through current day. Lite-Ups, which are small, clip-on porcelain replicas of Dickens’ Village designs are introduced.
1986 Two new porcelain village collections are introduced under the Heritage Village Collection umbrella. The Alpine Village Series, inspired by the region in the Bavarian Alps is released with five designs referred to as “the original five”. The New England Village Series inspired by in New England is released with seven designs referred to as “the original seven”. Snowbabies are introduced.
1987 Christmas in the City, inspired by New York City during the Christmas season, is introduced with six porcelain buildings to the Heritage Village Collection. The Little Town of Bethlehem, inspired by the birth of Christ, is offered as a 12 piece porcelain set complete with characters, buildings, and trees. Bachman’s Florist offers an exclusive porcelain collection of three buildings known as the Hometown Series, which is inspired by actual Minneapolis buildings. A limited edition, commissioned set of dolls inspired by the characters from “A Christmas Carol” are offered. The commissioned set of 250 produced dolls include Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Cratchit along with Tiny Tim. Two separate sets of flat cold cast porcelain ornaments featuring characters and buildings inspired by A Christmas Carol are offered. Each is a set of three features hand painted buildings and characters with a monofilament wire. Designs from The Dickens’s Village, New England Village, and Little Town of Bethlehem serve as inspiration for a small collection of cold cast porcelain, non-lit buildings. Each are packaged separately in white and board boxes with black and white graphics. Two other sets know as Williamsburg Miniatures and Victorian Miniature are also offered.
1988 Reaching over $56 million in sales, Department 56 moves into a 150,000 sq. ft. state-of-the art distribution center to better service the increase of retailer orders for Department 56 villages and giftware. A blue, hardbound book with a blue jacket entitled Heritage Village Collection- A Book for Collectors- First Edition is published. In it are photographs of all pieces in the porcelain village collections. John Deere® Water Tower, based on the Snow Village Water Tower, is produced under license with Deere and Co for the John Deere Catalog. It also is the first exclusively designed piece for a business entity.
1989 A second edition of the book Heritage Village Collection- A Book for Collectors is published with newly added items in the same format as its predecessor. A Special Edition gold jacket accented with the signature of Artist Neilan Lund on the back is produced for a special collector event in New York. A tailored version of The Original Snow Village accessory For Sale Sign is made available for sale during the Bachman Village Gathering which is held in Minneapolis.
1990 The North Pole Series becomes the fifth porcelain village to The Heritage Village Collection. It features Santa’s Workshop, Reindeer Barn and Elf Bunkhouse accented with red and green colors and glittered roofs. Prairie House and Queen Ann Victorian become the first pieces offered in an ongoing subseries in The Original Snow Village known as the American Architecture Series. A new hardbound book titled The Original Snow Village Collector’s Album is published by Department 56. It is a gold hardbound book with a gold jacket providing information and pictures of all produced pieces in The Original Snow Village.
1991 Department 56 opens its new corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. One Village Place, as it becomes known, features numerous modern showrooms containing all giftware items and village displays. Production of the new Christmas In The City Cathedral Church of St. Marks, originally intended for 17,500 Bates Stamped Numbered Limited Editions, is stopped at 3,024 pieces due to production issues. Artist Roberto Innocenti captures the essence of A Christmas Carol on a series of Special Edition plates offered by Department 56. Cassette Tapes, titled Village Sounds, are introduced that offer background noise and create the essence of activity for village displays.
1992 Forstmann Little and Company, a New York investment firm, purchases Department 56 for $270 million. The National Council of 56 Clubs (NCC), an umbrella organization for Department 56 Collector Clubs throughout the United States and Canada, is established under the guide of Jack Skeels. The black Heritage Village Express Van- Road Show Edition is offered. Department 56 enters into a licensing agreement with The Charles Dickens Heritage Foundation, established by Christopher and Jeanne Marie Dickens, enters into a licensing agreement with Department 56 for a series of buildings that will be created for the Dickens’ Village Series as well as giftware items.
1993 Department 56 becomes a publicly traded company with an initial stock offering of $18 per share under the symbol “DFS” on the New York Stock Exchange. The highly sought after Heritage Village Express Van- Gold Edition is offered to potential investors. The first official Limited To Year of Production piece is offered for The Original Village- Nantucket Renovation. It is based on a previously released piece and is packaged in a special blue sleeve accented with architectural renderings. Two VHS tapes are released by Department 56-The Building of A Village Tradition focuses on display building tips and The Making of A Village Tradition gives an inside look into the creative and design process.
1994 The Disney Parks Village Series, is introduced at the Disneyana Convention as a porcelain collection that is based on authentic buildings at Disney World. The 10th anniversary of Dickens’ Village Series is commemorated with the release of Postern which serves as an entrance for the collection. Brokerage House is released as a commemorative piece for Christmas in the City in honor of the public stock offering. Coca-Cola Bottling Plant becomes the first building offered in a long line of village items licensed with Coca-Cola. Tailored versions of Heritage Village Express Vans are made available for sale at thirteen exclusive collector events held by select Department 56 retailers. Each of the black versions of the van is tailored with the logo of retailer on the side.
1995 Department 56 selects Ronald McDonald Houses to become the chosen charity for the first annual marketing program “Homes for the Holidays". The events raise millions of dollars while encouraging new collectors to start a family tradition. Hallmark engages in a licensing agreement with Department 56 for the production of several 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles to be made by Springbook Jigsaw Puzzles. Puzzles are based on village collection scenes and Snowbabies. Three additional black vans are offered by select Department 56 dealers- Parkwest Van, Canadian Van and St. Nicks. Eight Department 56 dealers offer exclusive, tailored versions of The Original Snow Village accessory A Visit With Santa. Each is accented with the specific coloring details unique to each as well as its’ logos. Two cookbooks are offered featuring holiday recipes accenting the North Pole Series and Dickens’ Village Series. The highly popular Santa Comes To Town accessory is first offered as a subseries in The Original Snow Village. Allied Model Trains in Culver City, CA enters into a license agreement for an exclusive tailored ceramic building as well as a series of Lionel Box Cars tied to Department 56 villages.
1996 In an effort to reach both retailers and consumers, Department 56 joins the worldwide web with the release of its’ new website www.department56.com. Disney Parks Village Series becomes the first entire village collection to be retired. The first all-inclusive village set- Ramsford Palace (set of 17) is introduced for the Dickens' Village Series. A Christmas Carol Reading By Charles Dickens- Set of 7 is introduced as the first Hand Numbered Limited Edition accessory. It is later issued for general release in a smaller, unnumbered set of 5 with a different paint scheme. The Profiles Department 56® category, geared towards direct outside company offerings begins with the release of Heinz House. Twenty- four Department 56 retailers purchase exclusively tailored versions of Santa Comes To Town. Each design features Santa carrying a retailer specific banner. Department 56 retailer St. Nicks, located in Littleton, CO, commissions the first exclusive tailored version of an accessory- Pickup and Delivery which consists of 1,080 pieces.
1997 Founder Ed Bazinet resigns as chairman of Department 56. Manchester Square (set of 25) is released to the Dickens' Village Series gains the distinction of being the largest gift set and highest price point introduced for a village collection. Tower of London- Set of 5 is released for the Dickens’ Village and becomes the first introduction in the new Historical Landmark Series. The new category will grow to include iconic landmarks in England as well as The United States. New licensing agreements are introduced with the release of the popular brands McDonald's and Hershey's Chocolate Shop for The Original Snow Village. A License agreement is reached with Goodwin Weavers to produce pillows and throws featuring village designs and Snowbabies. The first in a line of event exclusive collector clock pins (blue) is introduced at Long Beach Collectible Exposition. Department 56 announces the Dream House Sweepstakes which will give select winners the opportunity to work with Department artists on the creative development of select future designs. A new VHS tape- Starting New Traditions is released along with a companion instruction book with decorating tips for holiday decorating.
1998 Department 56 redesigns the product brochures to include high quality pictures as well as product information for its many offerings. Department 56 enhances its relationship with Canadian dealers through exclusive product offerings made available only through them. The products create a frenzy amongst diehard collectors of the Dickens' Village Series. Seasons Bay by Department 56 contract artist Dennis Brose becomes the first year-round village collection. The new village offering is inspired by 19th century resorts areas features pewter accessories with intricate detail. The Original Snow Village Halloween® is launched with the introduction of Haunted Mansion. The new subseries Elf Land, is released for the North Pole Series featuring with coordinating buildings and accessories focusing on where the elves live at the North Pole. Department 56 begins an ongoing licensing agreement with Harley-Davidson that will reach through many different village collections. Harley-Davidson Manufacturing begins the longstanding agreement with its introduction in The Original Snow Village. A collection of all-inclusive sets known as Literary Classics begins. Each boxed set includes a lit porcelain building, coordinating accessories, and a hardbound edition of a classic novel. Great Expectations Satis Manor (s/4) which coordinates with the Dickens' Village Series is the first introduction. Miniature ceramic and porcelain buildings featuring pig-tail lights, based on popular village buildings, are introduced as the Classic Ornaments Series. Camden Fountain, introduced for the Dickens' Village Series, becomes the first accessory with running water.
1999 The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota becomes home to the first corporately owned retail store by Department 56. The Department 56 publication Quarterly is renamed Fifty-Six in an effort to capitalize on brand and company identity. The first Numbered Limited Edition for The Original Snow Village-Bachman’s Original Homestead, 1885 (7,500 pieces) is offered for exclusive sale at the Bachman Village Gathering. Outer sleeves for village buildings and accessories are changed to full color photographic images. Department 56 updates and changes the corporate logo to a more modern design. Lilac City Water Tower is produced exclusively for Lock Stock And Barrel, headquartered in Rochester, New York and is limited to 500 pieces. A Special Edition, Numbered Limited Edition (5,500 pieces) of The Old Royal Observatory- Gold Dome Edition is sent to all Department 56 retailers as a thank you and to honor 15th anniversary of Dickens Village Series. A cream dome version of 35,000 numbered pieces is made available for retail sale. Resin gift sets based on whimsical interpretations of children’s classical nursery rhymes and stories are introduced as Story Book Village Collection. Monopoly Brand City Lights Collection consisting of lighted resin buildings with pewter accessories is introduced as result of licensing with Parker Brothers. Building sets are made available for purchase individually or as an all-inclusive set. Monopoly Bank & Trust becomes the first ever item to offered as a redemption piece with purchase. A new marketing program for retailers entitled “Discover Department 56” introduces lit buildings with highly detailed 3- D interior details.
2000 Shelley’s Diner, named for the wife of Artist Scott Enter, is introduced into The Original Snow Village and ultimately becomes one of the longest running village building designs. It later becomes the first lit building to be recalled. The first “Discover Department 56 Spring Promotion” marketing event is held in honor of Mother’s Day. The Numbered Limited Edition set Aldeburgh Music Box Shop (35,000 pieces) plays “Heidenroselin” and becomes the first musical building. It, along with the coordinating accessories, is the first to be designed without snow for Dickens’ Village Series. Parkside Pavilion- Set of 9 is offered for Seasons Bay™ curing the same event. Numerous items, featuring silver bells, are designed for the 25th Anniversary of Department 56 to be offered for sale during the “Discover Department 56 Event”. The Holy Land Collection classification is created to include buildings and accessories that will enhance the story of the Nativity and the previously offered Little Town of Bethlehem series. A giftware line- Story Book Village Collection, comprised of gift sets that are based on the whimsical interpretations of children’s classical nursery rhymes and stories, is introduced to appeal to young families.
2001 The 25th Anniversary of The Original Snow Village® and the company is celebrated during a festive event in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Silver Anniversary Celebration offers numerous Special Edition and Limited Edition items that are designed with prestigious black sleeves with silver writing and made available only to those attending. Department 56 first adds the height, width, and length descriptions of village buildings and accessories to the Village 2001 Product Catalog. Classic Cars, inspired by popular automobiles of the 1960’s, are introduced as a new subseries for The Original Snow Village. Two new subseries’- Buck’s County and The Original Snow Village Easter are introduced for The Original Snow Village. The second “Discover Department56 Spring Event” is held featuring gift sets for the Dickens’ Village Series and the New England Village Series. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, The American Pride Collection and accessories titled Raising The Flag, are introduced.
2002 Seasons Bay becomes the second complete village series to be retired. As part of a new marketing strategy and in an effort to reach a new base of collectors through “Big Box” retailers, a mid-tier grouping of products is created under the classification - Simple Traditions. The collections include Sweet Treats Express for Lowe’s as well as Holly Lane (with characters resembling Snowbabies) and Pine Isles for Kohl’s. The Holy Land Collection expands to include additional items for the Little Town of Bethlehem, along with a new collection entitled The Easter Story as well as accessories inspired by and known as The Parables of Jesus. A Valentine’s Day themed subseries is added to The Original Snow Village with The Original Snow Village Celebrate Love designs. Coca-Cola Fizz Factory is introduced for the North Pole Series features state-of-the-art bubbling inside of an acrylic bottle anchored in its design. Hot Classics, featuring facades of famous Hollywood movie classics is introduced. A Holiday Special Edition, Limited To Year of Production set- 1224 Kissing Claus Lane (s/4) is released for The Original Snow Village. The animated/musical building plays “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Accessory Introductions featuring town snowmen are offered for the North Pole Series The Original Snow Village, and Dickens’ Village Series. Waterglobes are designed and offered for sale to compliment the new Holiday Special Edition sets.
2003 Fifty- Six magazine is renamed Celebrations with a focus on promoting items beyond the standard village lines. The Literary Classics Series is retired. The introduction of 1234 Four Seasons Parkway (CIC) and Year Round Holiday House (OSV) feature lit buildings with coordinating accessories and decorations for multiple season display. The Empire State Building, measuring 23 inches tall, is released for Christmas In The City© Series and is the tallest lit structure made for any village series. The Christmas Lane subseries is introduced for The Original Snow Village. The long-running collection features over-decorated homes for the Christmas holidays. The Summertime subseries is introduced into The Original Snow Village with accessories for beach and yard scenes. A new fall subseries, All Hallows Eve, is released for the Dickens’ Village Series. The Vintage Car subseries is released for the Christmas In The City Series. The Simple Traditions category designed for “Big Box” retailers expands with the release of Holiday Charms. The individual buildings and accessories are packaged separately and sold exclusively at Kohl’s. The individual Holiday Charms collection is repackaged as building/accessory gift sets and sold exclusively by retailer Linens-n-Things. Flurry’s Snowglobe Maker (NP) is the first lit building to have an actual snowglobe (with water) as part of its design. Special Edition, Limited to Year of Production, village specific, lit Town Trees are introduced at mid-year. The Holiday Express gift set for The Original Snow Village Home For The Holidays Event becomes the second village release to have a redemption piece. A special hologram located inside of the box allows the owner to claim one of 1,000 Limited Edition Caboose.
2004 Eight lit buildings are introduced across the village collections featuring battery operated Display Anywhere Long Life Lighting. Collectors are intrigued by the elimination of electrical cords and ease of display. Several lit buildings are introduced for the 20th Anniversary of the Dickens Village Series. The 15th Anniversary of North Pole Series is celebrated with the release of five Limited To Year of Production buildings accented with gold weathervanes that spell S-A-N-T-A. Santa’s Toy Company “S” and Alfie's Toy School For Elves “A”, with gold accents and custom coloring, are offered through select dealers as Early Releases. Numerous lit buildings are released allowing for individual personalization. Limited To Year of Production accessories featuring Santa Claus are released for several village collections. The Carnival subseries is introduced into The Original Snow Village.
2005 A Christmas Story, sold exclusively by Sears, becomes the newest village introduction. Home Town Traditions is released for sale at Wal-Mart. The newest “Big Box” classification consists of two collections- American Heartland and Sweet Streets. The Budweiser Brewery and its coordinating accessory Budweiser Clydesdales are licensed with Anheuser-Bush. The offering becomes the first time that beer is introduced to The Original Snow Village. The Weekend At The Lake subseries is introduced as a new subseries of The Original Snow Village.
2006 The Department 56 magazine Celebrations ceases publication. The 30th Anniversary of The Original Snow Village and Department 56 is honored with the production of numerous Special Edition and Numbered Limited Edition with pearl accents- a record number for any year or occasion. The 20th Anniversary of Alpine Village and New England Village recognized with Special Edition pieces for each. North Pole Series collectors are overjoyed with the release of the five newest Special Edition buildings accented with gold weathervanes that spell C-L-A-U-S and compliments the buildings that spell S-A-N-T-A.
2007 2007 marks the 20th anniversary. Christmas In The City. New and updated village signs are introduced for all village collections Several introductions at mid-year, for several village collections, are released with 3-D interior scenes and animated features.
2008 Department 56 Artist Barb Lund redesigns and updates the “Original Seven” lit buildings of Dickens’ Village Series, a first for the collection, in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the popular village. Anniversary coordinating accessories are also released. The 10th Anniversary of The Original Snow Village Halloween collection is commemorated with the introduction of several Special Edition accessories and Haunted Train Station and Haunted Rails Engine & Coal Car which begin a new ongoing subseries for the village. The 60th Anniversary of Peanuts results in a new licensing agreement for a new village centered on the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and their numerous friends. Christmas Market booth sets are introduced as a new ongoing subseries for the Alpine Village Series.
2009 Beloved Master Architect for Department 56, Neilan Lund, dies in Minnesota. Department 56 is acquired by major gift company Enesco, LLC- headquartered in Itasca, IL. Like Department 56, Enesco was founded in 1958 as an import division of N. Shure Company. At the time it was recognized as one of the oldest and largest general merchandise catalog companies in existence. Inspired by The Original Snow Village Artist Scott Enter, the Winters Frost collection is introduced.
2010 Department 56 is enters into a license agreement with Colonial Williamsburg to produce a new porcelain village series- Williamsburg. The collection is formally introduced at a Special Collectors' Event held in October. Contract Village Artist, Jeff Junkins appears for a signing event offering the Limited Edition accessory Caroling In Williamsburg which is tailored with custom painting. Additional lit buildings are released for the 25th Anniversary of the Dickens Village Series. A new license agreement with Disney yields Mickey's Merry Christmas Village. A series of non-lit façades invoking the architectural style of destinations such as Carmel, Tuscany, Paris, and Carmel are introduced. Place To Remember appears in the new product brochures and never produced. Collectors are encouraged by Department 56 to submit their own over-decorated home videos on YouTube with a chance for their entry to be included as part of Christmas Lane.
2011 Department 56 downsizes and moves company headquarters to Two Village Place, 1200 Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie, MN. The 35th anniversary of Department 56 is recognized with the release of Limited To Year of Production Clock Towers for all village series’. The Chelsea Market subseries is revisited with the release of Chelsea Market Tea Monger. Royal wedding frenzy of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge inspires the creation of Anglesey Cottage and its coordinating accessory, A Fairytale Romance for Dickens' Village Series collectors. A licensing agreement for The Grinch Village Series is the latest addition to the Classic Brands category. Designs are inspired by the classic Christmas stories of Whoville by Dr. Seuss. Jim Shore Heartwood Creek Village, based on the renowned artists’ works, is released with the 2011 Mid-Year introductions. The Brite-Lites Christmas Parade, with linking plug-in adapters, is added as a subseries for The Original Snow Village. A Place To Remember designs are re-evaluated and re-introduced as LED lit façades in hopes of a wider appeal and, still, not produced.
2012 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is released as a subset of the Christmas Lane subseries of The Original Snow Village and ultimately becomes the most successful of all licensing agreements. Church of St. Alban and its coordinating accessory The Baptism of Charles Dickens are released for the Dickens’ Village Series to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. General Village Accessory Collections are released to coordinate with numerous different village lines- Picket Lane, Uptown, Woodland, & Peppermint. A new subseries, Farmer’s Holiday Market, is released for The Original Snow Village. Two new building and three accessory designs are featured in the new product catalog for Jim Shore Village Heartwood Creek Village at Mid-Year and are not produced. The entire collection is retired. A licensing agreement with Travis Louie inspires buildings and accessories for inclusion in The Original Snow Village Halloween collection. The home of brothers Mark and Mac Sockwell, are announce as the winners of the online YouTube contest and Seasons Greeting House is added to the Christmas Lane subseries. Memory Lane Cottages, including two houses and a church that invoke 1950s charm, is included in the midyear introductions and not produced. Annual Holiday Gift Sets are introduced for the Gold Standard Villages for the last time.
2013 Licensing agreements expand with the introduction of numerous buildings for the different village collections. Village Nativities are released for all Christmas villages. "The Simpsons" celebrates its 25th Anniversary on television and Department 56 licenses the rights to produces a ceramic village based on it. Department 56 releases Chrysler Building for Christmas In The City. The iconic building’s introduction is the result of many years of negotiating and Village Artist Tom Bates captures it in exquisite detail and accents it with LED Lights. A new Numbered Limited Edition subseries of row houses is introduced for Christmas In The City Series under the name Historic District. 7400 Beacon Hill is released as 2,013 pieces- a lesser quantity than the elusive Dickens’ Village Mill. The 75th Anniversary of Dillard Department Stores, Little Rock, AR is commemorated with a tailored version of Oxford Shoes (CIC). A small subseries inspired by Catalog Homes begins for The Original Snow Village with the introduction of the yellow Lynnhaven. A gray painted variation is offered for exclusive sale by Platinum Key Dealers. The likeness of Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens are featured together in the Dickens’ Village Series accessory Dickens Accepts the Queen’s “Highland Journals”. Inspired by the popular Christmas Lane subseries, Trick or Treat Lane is released for The Original Snow Village Halloween. Memory Lane Cottages is reintroduced as Gardener’s Lane Cottages. The new collection includes only the two ceramic houses which coordinate with the My Garden General Village Accessory Collection. The buildings are, once again, not produced for general release. Animated Holiday Village Specials are offered for only The Original Snow Village, Dickens’ Village Series and North Pole Series. For the time, lit buildings and coordinating accessory sets are sold separately.
2014 Platinum Key Dealers begin to offer numerous exclusive and Early Release items exclusive bottom stamps and designation cards. Licensing agreements grow with release of items inspired by Fisher Price for the North Pole Series and additional introductions for Peanuts Village, Grinch Village, and Rudolph. Stratford becomes the second Catalog Home introduced for The Original Snow Village Collection. A variation with gold bricks is offered exclusively by Platinum Key Dealers. The second Numbered Limited Edition release to the Historic District subseries, 755 Pacific Heights, consists of 2,014 pieces and also is fewer than the Dickens’ Village Mill. Department 56 releases Downton Abbey. Inspired by the extremely popular Masterpiece Classic television series, Artist Tom Bates captures the façade of Highclere Castle in awe inspiring detail. New collectors and Dickens’ Village Series are elated. Village-specific sleighs and carriages are introduced. As a village first, Santa’s Magic Sleigh, a universal coordinating accessory, is released to be used with each of the three The Magic of Christmas Holiday Special lit buildings designed for The Original Snow Village, Dickens Village Series and the North Pole Series. Each building contains a 3D interior scene featuring Santa.
2015 Village Town Trees are released for Gold Standard Villages. The popular animated Disney movie Frozen is released as a new village series and, ironically, retired the same year leaving parents and grandparents scrambling. Lucky The Snowman, 2015 becomes the first in an ongoing series of dated snowmen with whimsical themes. Holiday In The Woods is released as an exclusive new porcelain Village series for Menards stores. Inspired by woodland retreats under the Traditions classification, the offering consists of five buildings and four coordinating accessories. The popular Downton Abbey collection is retired after it is announcement that the show’s final season would be in 2016. Enesco is sold to Balmoral Funds, LLC with Todd Mavis named as CEO. Holiday Specials are themed The Sounds of Christmas and are comprised of lit buildings for The Original Snow Village, Dickens Village Series and the North Pole Series. All of the buildings are musical and play “Ding, Dong, Merrily On High.” Each LED lit building has a separate coordinating musical trio accessory.
2016 Michael Griffith, Executive Vice President of Enesco, is named the new President of the Department 56. Department 56 honors its 40th Anniversary with a new anniversary logo and three Anniversary Gazebos- one each for The Original Snow Village, Dickens Village Series and the North Pole Series. Village accessories of children mailing Letters to Santa are also created for the Gold Standard Villages along with a ruby colored Village Express Van, 40th Anniversary Edition. Department 56 Artist Barb Lund designs a five-piece set Little Town for the 40th Anniversary of Little Town of Bethlehem and as a tribute to her father Neilan Lund. Once again, new and current licensing agreements are expanded to include the village releases of Elf and Jack Daniels as well the addition of Dairy Queen the North Pole Series. Department 56 enters into a licenses agreement with Girls Scouts of America for a lit building to become part of The Original Snow Village as well as coordinating accessories. The popular Elf On The Shelf is featured in two General Village animated pieces. Stand-alone Harley- Davidson boxed sets are released. Mistletoe Farm is added as a new General Village Accessory Collection to coordinate with farm-themed in The Original Snow Village. Village Sasquatch is released as a general accessory item. First Frost, a new series of sets heavily embellished with glittering snow and reminiscent of Winter’s Frost, is released with coordinating accessories from other collections. Village Friends is introduced as a retail membership program. Included in the special packaged sets are Town Christmas Trees in ceramic (blue) and porcelain (green), an artist tote, and a redemption savings card for collectors.
2017 Christmas In The City collectors are surprised with the re-release of Cathedral of St. Nicholas for the 30th Anniversary of collection. Each of the 3,500 Special Edition pieces are packaged in a special sleeve, Hand Numbered and signed by Artist Tom Bates. The buildings are issued at the original retail of $120. The 30th Anniversary of Christmas In The City is also commemorated with the introduction of Kringle & Sons Boutique which is accented with pearl embellishments. License agreements with Candy Crush and Coca-Cola allow for new entries in the North Pole Series. Three musical, island-themed buildings featuring the music of Jimmy Buffet are licensed and released as Margaritaville. New additions for Elf Village are announced and the entire collection is retired at the end of the year. The Art & Architecture becomes a new classification for designs based on existing buildings in the United States. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Heurtley House and likeness are released in Christmas In The City under the new classification that also encompasses previously released items. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas inspires a popular new village collection.
2018 Village Gates are introduced for the seven major village collections. All Gold Standard Villages receive a Hand Numbered Limited Edition of 2,018 pieces- once again, fewer than the Dickens’ Village Mill. The Snow Village Easter subseries is revisited with the introduction of Easter Sweets House (s/3). Additional coordinating accessories including the shepherd and kings are introduced to complete the story for Little Town. A new subseries inspired by and featuring the works of Noman Rockwell in the windows is released in The Original Snow Village. The Art & Architecture classification expands with the addition of the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House to Christmas In The City. A new subseries of fall themed boxed sets begins in The Original Snow Village Halloween with Harvest Gazebo Gift Set (s/4). Jack on Spiral Hill, with silver accents, is released for the 25th Anniversary of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. The release of the Adams Family Village Series in recognition of the 80th Anniversary of the cartoon series revives the Hot Properties classification. The resin Harry Potter Village is announced via Facebook Live from the Atlanta Showroom and met with wide acclaim. Department 56 introduces Silver Series classification featuring resin building and accessory boxed sets that parallel design styles in Dickens’ Village and North Pole. Resin ornaments inspired by the new Silver Series Boxed Sets are released at Mid-Year. Welcoming Christmas is introduced as the theme for Holiday Gift Sets for The Original Snow Village, Dickens Village Series and the North Pole Series. Each building features lit candles in the windows. Christmas In The City, Welcoming Christmas is also introduced as a Limited To Year of Production offering exclusive to Platinum Key Dealers. The Other Grandmother’s House (OSV) and Merry Lane Cottages #7 & #8 (NP) are also offered as Platinum Key Dealer Exclusives. The Hand Numbered B Sweet Shop Boxed Set (s/3)- 1,976 pieces, is released in memory of the late founder of Department 56, Ed Bazinet. The set includes the actual artwork for his dream shop logo, an accessory in his likeness and the first ceramic Village Express Van. The Original Snow Village Halloween train car subseries ends with the 11th and final train car Witch Hollow Supply Car with elements of numerous attributes of the Witch Hollow subseries.
2019 Department 56 announces the retirement of Village Artist Barb Lund. Russel Street Books is introduced as an Artist Event Exclusive which would only be available at her each of her three appearances at City Lights, Bronner’s, and Christmas Place. The 35th Anniversary of Dickens’ Village is honored with the release of Fullerton Station, and the coordinating accessories Continental Tour Or London? (bearing the likeness of Barb Lund) and The Emerald Express Train. Numerous Hand Numbered Limited Editions of 2,019 pieces are released for Gold Standard Villages. Again, quantities are lower than the Dickens’ Village Mill. Boxed sets for several different village collections become more prevalent. The Jolly Club Ballroom is offered as a musical and animated building for the North Pole Series. Jim Shore creates a small subseries of folk art inspired buildings for New England Village. Holidazzle Lighting, previously used in giftware nightlights, is used in Santa’s North Pole Workshop. The 50th Anniversary of NASA’s Moon Landing are commemorated with the release of Neil’s TV & Repair and its coordinating accessory One Small Step! for The Original Snow Village. Lit Ice Castle, featuring acrylic and special LED lighting technology is released as a General Village Accessory Collection. Holiday Gift Sets of Four are introduced at Mid-Year with Holiday Skating Party as the theme for The Original Snow Village, Dickens Village Series and the North Pole Series. Each set comes with a warming house, Mylar ice rink, skating accessory and small bag of Fresh Fallen Snow. Queen Anne Revival B&B (s/2) is released as attribute to Ms Lit Town, Melinda Seegers. The new piece is designated as an Art & Architecture Series item as well as a building in the American Architecture subseries. Easter Bunny Gazebo (s/2) is released for The Original Snow Village Easter subseries. New introductions are released for the Silver Series Boxed Sets including Halloween themed items. The Haunted Wheels Food Truck subseries begins in The Original Snow Village Halloween. The world of Minecraft is released as a new village series. Christmas In The Mansion, designated as an Early Release for and inspired by retailer Christmas Tree Hill is made available during a Special Appearance by Artist Scott Enter. Each piece is Hand Numbered and sold during the event only. Margaritaville retires at year’s end.
2020 The 45th Anniversary of Department 56 is honored with a special sapphire bottom stamp unique to 2020 production only. Santa Comes To Town 2021 is also accented with blue lights and packages. The National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation subseries continues to break all records as the most successful licensing offering. Clark’s End Run is made available only through Platinum Key Dealers. Tom Bates takes over as Principal Artist for Dickens’ Village following the retirement of Barb Lund. A new subseries inspired by the architecture of Oxford University becomes part of Dickens’ Village with the release of Oxford’s Radcliffe Camera (s/2) which surprisingly is retired the same year. Department 56 introduces the Country Living Holiday Collection. Designs are tailored versions of previously issued pieces in The Original Snow Village. The long-running Santa’s Wonderland House in the Christmas Lane subseries is retired. North Pole collectors enjoy a sweet moment with the release of a new Gingerbread subseries. Artist Paul Lundberg captures the true essence of childhood memories with the new Crayola Crayon Factory for the North Pole Series. North Pole Polar Pizza is finally introduced 13 years after its coordinating accessory Polar Pizza, Never Cold. The Silver Series collection is discontinued. It is announced that New England Village will be retired.
2021 Department 56 changes retirement classifications referring to only Gold Standard Villages as Retired and all other villages and General Village Accessories as discontinued. This will allow for items to be revisited or reintroduced at a later date. Hey! No Time To Play is the first accessory to be offered in two different racial versions- Caucasian (6007588), African American (6007605). It is announced that Alpine Village will be retired. The announcement leads to the discontinuance of the popular Christmas Market Booths subseries. The Munsters, The Addams Family, and DC Comics collections are discontinued. All lit pieces and the majority of accessories for Day of The Dead are discontinued. The Disneyland Haunted Mansion is added to Snow Village Halloween. Production issues force the piece to be converted from ceramic to resin. Game of Thrones is introduced as a standalone village collection. The Ghostbusters is introduced as a stand-alone collection prodding Christmas In The City collectors to “make the call”. The Woolworth Building (CIC), overwhelming in size, is introduced to enhance the city skyline. Russell Street Books is re-introduced with different paint details and as a Hand Numbered Limited Edition for Dickens’ Village. The National Council of Clubs (NCC) hosts the first ever Zoom Gathering. The CBS Morning Show features a spotlight on Department 56 and collector Jeffery Kirchner during the Christmas season. A licensing agreement with Country Living brings back previously retired buildings from The Original Snow Village that have been tailored with new paint and new names. The likeness of Edgar Allen Poe and friend Charles Dickens appear in the Dickens’ Village accessory Grip Inspires Poe and is retired the same year. The final piece to the Twelfth Night subseries- Royal Corps of Drums is offered and retired. The American Pride category is revived with the release of 20th Anniversary 9/11 items Heartfelt Valor and Lit Twin Towers Memorial. Mickey’s Halloween Village- Pumpkintown is released creating a frenzy with previously released Disney Halloween themed items. A new accessory entitled Sunday In The Park With Lynn is introduced for The Original Snow Village in memory of the late Department 56 Accessory Artist Lynn Maderich. Department 56 Dealers experience extensive sell-through with village items as Secondary Market prices soar due to COVID production constraints. Believe In The Magic Of Macys, featuring red enamel accents, is released as a Snowbabies Exclusive for Macy’s.
2022 Due to consumer demand, the previously retired Todd & Margo’s House is reintroduced as The Chester House with changes only to the tree attachments. Licensing expands with numerous introductions inspired by the Crayola and FAO Schwartz brands with introductions in several villages. Inspired by the success of the Alpine Christmas Market Booths, Dickens’ Village Artist Tom Bates is inspired to create the Dickens’ Market subseries. Chelsea Market Vendor Carts become highly sought after. Roster Inn (DV) ushers a new design concept with in interior staircase. Oxford’s Tom Tower is the second entry to the new subseries showcasing Oxford University architecture and the subseries is retired at year end. The North Pole Sisal Tree Factory is added to the North Pole series giving collectors insight as to how bottlebrush trees are made. Haunted Mansion Gate and The Singing Busts are released to compliment the Disneyland Haunted Mansion (SVH). Nightmare Before Christmas officially expands to Christmastown. Elvira Mistress of the Dark serves as inspiration for a new village series. Elvira’s Celebrity Trailer (6009786) is released with typo of “Mistress of the Da” instead of “Mistress of the Dark” and the company issues a corrective sticker for retailers to adhere. Due to global production issues, Mid-Year announcements are the smallest ever. The long awaited Leaky Cauldron and Knight Bus are announced for the Harry Potter Village series. Central Perk and two coordinating accessories from the iconic television show “Friends” are introduced at Mid-Year. The initial run is an Early Release Exclusive to Platinum Key Dealers. As a first, 2023 products are announced early in October with pictures appearing on the Enesco website. Macy’s offers another exclusive Snowbabies item with the introduction of Special Delivery From Macy’s. Creative Director Rick Jackson retires at year end with 1231 Dunn Street (OSV) whimsically offered in his honor. The longest running accessory Village Phone Booth (OSV) is retired. The Game of Thrones collection is discontinued. Department 56 conducts an on-line auction of 26 unique items that ran from December 1st thru December 10th for bidding. The auction was held in honor of Rick Jackson and raised $7,000 for Twin City Habitat For Humanity in Minnesota. One of the items is of an artist proof of a never produced Elvis Presley figurine as well as the unpainted proof. Timothy, Tim” Haney, Vice President of Enesco, is announced as Creative Director of Department 56.
2023 Department 56 changes packaging to include high-quality glamour shot photos; English, Spanish, and French translations; as well as a back panel featuring front and back photos of lit buildings along with a picture of the coordinating accessory. Packaging also includes a QR Code that takes consumers to the Making A Christmas Village video on the Department 56 website. The first interracial couple is offered with Date Night (OSV) which coordinates withPremier At the Plaza. Enesco, LLC has been acquired by Ad Populum, LLC. Zoological Gardens (s/2), inspired by London Zoo, with numerous coordinating accessories and animals is released as a new subseries to Dickens’ Village. The North Pole Ornament Houses becomes a new subseries with the introduction of Finny’s Ornament House and coordinating accessory Nanook’s Home. They, along with the 2022 Norny’s Ornament House, feature gold ornament hang tags inspired by the Night Before Christmas ornaments offered in the 1990s. Disneyland Haunted Hearse is released to enhance the Disneyland Haunted Mansion. Mid-Year announcements made limited to Snow Village Halloween items only. Snow Village Halloween’s 25th Anniversary is honored with the release of a new train car- The Silver Bullet, 256th Anniv. and coordinating accessory Werewolf Hunter, 25th Anniv. Legend of Sleepy Hollow subseries is introduced for Snow Village Halloween. This is the third introduction of the famous tale. Previous introductions were made to New England Village as a subseries as well as a Classic/Licensed Brand series. Collectors scramble to purchaser the initial run of Santa’s Man Cave (NP) as sleeves are inadvertently printed as Christmas In The City. At the Golden Glow of Christmas Past Convention, in Washington DC, several new village license agreements are announced- Hello Kitty, Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion, Dum-Dums, PEZ, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek and Hocus Pocus. It is announced at the same event that the Enesco Gallery & Gift Shop featuring Department 56 will open across the street from Graceland, in Memphis, TN. The Grand Opening is timed to coordinate with the annual Lighting of Graceland Event on November 16th. Department 56 provides a Live Auction Event featuring the new Graceland (s/2) which is a reproduction of the previous release. It features new LED lighting elements similar to those that adorn Graceland during the holidays. The item was coupled with a separate auction for an opportunity to participate in the grand opening event of the new retail establishment. Both auctions raised over $13,000.00 for the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund. The special Graceland (s/2) design will be available only at the new gallery and retail store in Memphis, TN. The 2023 Retirement Announcement eliminates numerous 2023 introduction items. The entire A Christmas Carol/Christmas Carol Revisited subseries to Dickens’s Village is retired. Friends village items are retired. The Haunted Wheels Food Trucks subseries of Snow Village Halloween is retired. The Chrysler Building (CIC) licensing agreement ends leading to the retirement of the iconic structure. Licensing ends with FAO Schwarz thus retiring pieces in Christmas In The City, The Original Snow Village and North Pole. Licensing ends with Crayola- retiring popular items in North Pole. The Christmas On the Lake Fish Shacks (OSV) subseries is retired. The last two trailers to the Christmas Court subseries (OSV) are retired. In December, Enesco announces that Snowbabies Artist Krist Jensen-Pierro will retire at the end of 2023. Her talents have inspired and led to the production of countless giftware and Village related items over her 35 year career with Department 56. Additionally, it is shared that her original designs continue in production through 2025.
2024 Department 56 celebrates the 40th anniversary of Dickens’ Village with the release of Culpepper’s Ruby Jewelers and coordinating accessory Too Pretty To Pellet; An Aviary, In Honor and coordinating accessory Such A Lovely Lovebird; and the 2024 Inaugural Father Christmas. The company announces the First Edition classification. The classification will be given to a select group of buildings/accessories that will be released as First Editions as well as General Releases. First Editions will only be available through Platinum Key Dealers, will be hand-numbered to 560 pieces, feature a special First Edition bottom stamp, and boxed in unique luxe packaging. New ongoing, annual accessories are launched for Snow Village Halloween and Dickens’ Village. They include Feline Noir (SVH) and Father Christmas (DV). A Monument For Her Majesty is released for Dickens’ Village to honor the long reigns of both Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria. Collectors respond favorably to the release of new items for Chinatown as well as City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks (s/4). A Tasteful Fence (s/2) becomes the first interactive accessory allowing collectors to place real Dum-Dums suckers in specially designed holes. New introductions are released for North Pole featuring M&Ms, allowing for a new subseries to the village. Known for his “Mister Fix-it” attributes, former Creative Director Rick Jackson is honored with the release of Jackson & Sons Hardware (OSV) and coordinating accessory July At Christmas Sale (OSV), featuring his likeness. A Caucasian version of Just 2 More Days… (OSV) is released to complement Pet & Vet (OSV). Aeriels are released for North Pole and Snow Village Halloween. They allow specially designed accessories to reach new heights in the village. They are part ornament and part accessory that can be lowered or raised to give that something extra to air space above the village. They include Elf Test Flight Aerial (NP), Elfette Test Flight Aerial (NP), and Elevating Ghoul- Aeriel (SVH). There are no 2024 introductions for the Rest In Peace Crypts or Trick-Or-Treat Lane subseries’ to Snow Village Halloween. Cocoa & Cream Christmas Collection is added to the Village Accessory Collections subseries. WDW Haunted Mansion is added to Snow Village Halloween along with its coordinating accessory Visiting The Park, expanding the Disney Haunted Mansion subseries. The piece is eyeballed by Dickens’ Village collectors as a crossover building. Fall introductions are expanded in Snow Village Halloween with the release of Gather ‘Round For Thanksgiving and coordinating accessory Touchdowns, Turkey & Pie; and Make & Take Scarecrow Shack and coordinating accessory Nana, I’m Stuffed. Snow Village Easter is revived with the introduction of Easter Gardens Flower Shop (s/2). Collector’s wishes are granted with the release of Hocus Pocus. Initial pieces feature The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage and coordinating accessory AMOK! AMOK! AMOK! Friends & Neighbors (s/3), a new accessory set collection featuring various residents doing regular things is added to North Pole, The Original Snow Village and Dicken’s Village. A similar set, Ghouls & Goblins (s/3) is added to Snow Village Halloween. The final trees (nine through twelve) are added to the Twelve Days Trees subseries. New landscaping sets are introduced for fall and Halloween- A Splendid Fall Landscape Set (s/12) and Dark Forest Landscape Set (s/13). Each set features trees of various shapes and sizes, in true season color. New Spiralight Trees are introduced in orange, black and green, with special LED lighting. Trees feature different modes that can be regulated to flash or remain steady. New Hot Properties Village collections featuring Hello Kitty, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek and Hocus Pocus are released. Mickey’s Peppermint Village is introduced. Pez and Dum-Dum Suckers are incorporated into the North Pole Series. The man that appears in the accessory Touchdowns, Turkey & Pie becomes the first accessory to be specifically designed with a five o’clock shadow. Dickens’ Village collectors are left guessing at what is to come in 2025 when the company places a full page glamor shot ad of a nighttime London scene in which a lone, black umbrella sits in the middle of the street with the tag “Something New Is Popping”. Department 56 launches a new Blog Series from Tim Haney, VP of Product Development entitled “A Peek Inside” to give collectors an inside “peek” of the latest news.

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