This page will provide detailed explanation to questions submitted to The Village Chronicler. User questions will be grouped into sections as they relate to each other.  Questions may be submitted to chronciler@thevillagechronicler.com.

How is the website organized? And, what is in each of the books?

The Village Chronicler website is themed like a library. As such, it is intended to be a resource for information. Each section has separate books that provide specific and unique information.  Here is what is contained in each book:

• Home - The homepage is a welcome page for collectors with simple instructions on how to navigate the site.

• The Chronicler - This is an open letter from Richard Puckett, The Village Chronicler, and the inspiration for the site.

• Tips - A list of tips that can help you navigate the site can be found here.  

• The FAQ's - Frequently asked questions are found in this book. If you have a question, contact us and we will be glad to review it.

• The Record - Here, you will find the story of how Department 56 and the collectible villages evolved.

• The Almanac - This book shares interesting tidbits throughout the company’s history from inception to present day.

• The Company - Clicking this book will send you directly to the Department 56 homepage. Once there, you will have the opportunity to find replacement parts, the current items offered, Platinum Key Dealers and much, much more! 

• Department 56 Village Family Tree - As in genealogy, the tree shows you the downline and branches for all related villages.

• The Collections - This book contains the highly sought after subseries listing for each of the Gold Standard Villages as well as the items in the General Village Accessory Collections. The book also contains items that are/were exclusively commissioned for Department 56 Dealers as well as a listing of holiday specific village items beyond Christmas.  

• The Stacks - A comprehensive list of each individual collection is listed here. Chapters include the Gold Standard Villages as well as company designated categories and classifications for other village lines. Other village related collectible items are listed as well. 

• The Figurines- This book provides collectors of the numerous Departmenet 56 giftware figurines a resource by collection. Some collections- like Snowbabies and Snowbunnies, have numerous subseries’. Those collections are divided as such so that a complete inventory of each subseries may be referenced.

• Historical Information- This book archives interesting information regarding buildings and accessories that can be found in the Department 56 Village Collections.

• The Product Lists - Here you will find a comprehensive listing of each item feature on the site and its relation to the specific collection and book. 

• Department 56 Glossary - Have you ever heard a word or term regarding Department 56 collecting and wondered what it meant? The Glossary contains the most commonly used “lingo” and its definition in easy to understand language.

• The Catalog - The Catalog is an ongoing listing of personalities that are directly and indirectly related to village collecting.   

• The Legend - All abbreviations formatted into the website are listed here for easy reference.  

• Adapter/Bulb Reference - This book holds the listing of actual replacement adapters and bulbs as provided by Department 56.  

• The Chronicles- Current and timely articles written by The Village Chronicler will be featured here. 

• The Archives - This section will allow collectors to view the actual Department 56 New Introduction and Retirement Lists as released by the company for the years referenced.  

• The Album - The Album contains photographs deemed complimentary to a specific part of collecting.  

• The Diary - The Diary contains the most recent listing of Department 56 related collector events from artist appearances to gatherings and Dealer Open Houses. 

• The NCC - This book provides a direct link the National Council of 56 Clubs website where collectors can find a local club to join and retailers can become an Associate Member.

• Our Sources - The entities listed here range from Department 56 Dealers and Secondary Market Dealers to those who offer products/services deemed by The Village Chronicler to be essential resources to enhance village collecting.

• Missing Pictures - While the website strives to provide pictures for each item listed, not all are available by Department 56. Contained here you will find instructions as well as a link to submit Hi- Resolution pictures to help us in the endeavor of providing pictures for all items listed on the website. 

• Contact Us - Here you will find a direct email link to reach out to Richard or Pete.

Who did the artwork on the mast head?

The artwork for The Village Chronicler website was created by former Department 56 Village Artist, Greg Beilke.  Greg’s contributions have included numerous village designs as well as a series of backdrops sold by the company.  His work includes buildings for The Holy Land, New England Village, Alpine Village and licensed collections.

Why does the website not include pricing?

Simply put, pricing is fluid.  While each piece is initially offered with a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) by the company for US and Canada, specifically, the longer a piece stays in the line, the more likely the price may be adjusted in the future due to production costs.  This has happened countless times through the years.

May I print lists from the website? 

Sure, you can! Each list has a print tab. Decide first if you want to include pictures or a sortable list with boxes to inventory your collection.

May I create inventory sheets from the website? 

Sure, you can! Each list has a "Download as CSV" tab. This will download a CSV or multiple CSV files to your computer, that can be loaded into a program such as Excel to create customizable inventory sheets for your collection.

What do the numbers on the top left side stand for? 

They are multi-functional. First, the number references the total number of lit buildings produced. Secondly, there is a number for the coordinating accessories in that list as well.

What do the numbers on the far-right side stand for? 

The numbers on the far-right side of each listing provides a hyperlink to reveal the coordinating accessory(ies) and buildings(s) that were designed for that specific item.

How frequently is the website updated?

Quite frankly, as often as is necessary!  The website functions in real time.  As soon as something newsworthy is determined, it is more often than not added within minutes of verification by Department 56. Late breaking news will always be posted on our Facebook page.  Most pages have a revised line at the top.  This is always a clue if something has changed since your last visit.

Is there a way for me to just look for a particular item number on the website?

Absolutely! Sometimes collectors may be looking for just one specific item and do not want to search the whole site. On the top of the homepage, we have provided a link that will allow you to jump to the master product listing for the website. Click on the gray box that reads “Find on this page….”. When you do, a box will appear in the upper left-hand corner for you to enter the product number or part of the name of the item, and press Enter. It will show you how many times the item appears on the site and will color the number dark green for each. This will allow you to jump to each listing and see the categories that it is tied to, a picture of it as well as any coordinating accessories.