Folklore holds that in the mid-1970s, a group of friends in Minnesota ventured to a quiet river town to enjoy dinner at a small country inn. As they rounded a bend, they were enchanted by a picturesque village, adorned with twinkling lights that shimmered against a backdrop of freshly fallen snow. The spirit of the holiday season sparked joyful conversations filled with Christmas memories, and eventually inspired the concept of a lighted Christmas village.
A supposed member of that dinner party was Ed Bazinet, who at the time worked for Bachman’s, a premier retail florist in Minneapolis. Bazinet was in charge of Bachman’s wholesale gift-imports division, dubbed “Department 56” (a nod to the unit number assigned by the company’s accounting system).
The notion of a holiday-themed lighted village materialized in 1976 when Department 56 launched its first village product line, The Original Snow Village. Although popular, it did not become a collectible until 1979, when Department 56 retired the first group of buildings to make room for 12 new additions in the line, unintentionally turning these retired items and subsequent releases into collectibles.
The overwhelming success of Snow Village and the resultant growth of Department 56 under Bazinet’s supervision led to Bachman’s spinning off the division as a $15 million subsidiary in 1984. That same year, the company launched The Heritage Village Collection and introduced the Dickens Village Series.
Reminiscent of Victorian England during the life and times of the famed British author, Charles Dickens, the initial village offering featured seven proprietary shops and a church, all of smaller-scale architecture and a non-glazed porcelain finish, which provided for smaller accessories and greater detail. The series would be expanded in the following years to include other buildings referenced in Dickens’ works, such as pubs, theaters, shops, and notable landmarks.
In 1986, Department 56 expanded the collection with the release of the New England Village Series, which depicted life in the American northeast during the early 1900s. Inspired by the charm of small-town New England life and focused on themes of community and simplicity, the collection’s aesthetic reflected the architectural styles of the region’s historic towns.
The original set of seven buildings depicted charming shopfronts, cozy homes, and a steeple church, each telling a story that connects with the rich history of the region. It quickly became a beloved series among fans of traditional Christmas decor. With its snow-dusted roofs and warm ambient lighting, it perfectly represented a quintessential winter landscape during the Christmas season.
In early December of that same year, a few hours north of Department 56’s Eden Prairie headquarters, my father visited a newly opened World of Christmas retail store located south of Walker, MN, and purchased one of the original New England Village Series buildings, Steeple Church, as a gift for my mother.
My father repeated this gift procurement process every December for another four years to expand my mom’s village to a total of six buildings:
- Steeple Church (purchased 1986)
- Craggy Cove Lighthouse (1987)
- Otis Hayes Butcher (1988)
- Joannes Mullet Amish Barn (1989)
- Shingle Creek House + Captain’s Cottage (1990)
From that point on, the village was displayed each holiday season on top of an upright piano: first, the player-style in the lodge at Brindley’s Harbor Resort until it was sold in 1996, and then the console-style in the living room of each of their successive homes.
I inherited the village after my mother’s death in 2021, and a few years later, when poor weather conditions limited the setup of my outdoor light display, I turned my attention to building a more elaborate display for the peninsula fireplace in our basement. After hours of online research, I designed a larger, two-tier version and then spent several months collecting additional buildings on eBay. I finally started “construction” in December 2024.
The entire scene rests on a framework of platforms and joists made from Owens Corning 2” Formular insulation panels, held together by embedded fender washers and magnets. Given my desire to store all village components in my basement office storage cabinets, the size of the panels was determined by the cabinet cavity’s width and length. The display surface is covered with snow-blanket material, and the edges are carefully masked with pine-bark mulch.
The display features an inviting mix of retail shops on the lower level, all connected by a charming cobblestone sidewalk. The upper level includes a neighborhood of seven homes and three feature buildings. Various-sized artificial bottle-brush trees are interspersed among the retail buildings, and large, multi-trunk, leafless birch trees from Dept 56 stand prominently behind the residential buildings, adding depth and height. Forests of large bottle-brush trees flank either side of the fireplace chimney. All buildings are illuminated internally by a chain of C9 LED bulbs, and some of the trees are underlit by precisely positioned RGB 5050 light strips.
Because Department 56 figures are designed at a significantly larger scale than village buildings, I prefer to incorporate figures from the Hawthorne Village collection, a brand of illuminated villages and trains marketed and distributed by The Bradford Exchange. These figures also have a more realistic, relatable appearance, conveying the charm of small-town life and contributing to a cohesive story within the New England Village scene.
Department 56 villages are visually interesting because of their detailed surfaces, varied textures, and layered compositions. Buildings show fine architectural elements—trim, shingles, brickwork, and window panes—painted in clear, contrasting colors that define edges and forms. Internal lighting and glazed windows create zones of brightness that contrast with shadowed rooflines and recessed doorways. Grouping structures at different angles and heights produces depth and visible sightlines, while snow effects, foliage, and base contours provide tactile variety and break uniformity. The overall effect is a compact scene with multiple points of visual interest that draw the eye to different details.
A complete listing of the buildings featured in our display is provided below.
Steeple Church
Produced: 1986 - 1990
Original MSRP: $30
Dimensions: 6.5” x 7.5” x 9.5”
Acquisition: Inherited
The Steeple Church sits atop the upper level of the village and is one of the original seven buildings in the New England Village series. It acts as a quintessential centerpiece, with classic white clapboard siding that echoes early American architecture, along with a tall, graceful white steeple, arched windows, and a traditional colonial style.
Jannes Mullet Amish Barn
Produced: 1989 - 1992
Original MSRP: $48
Dimensions: 8.5” x 6.0” x 6.5”
Acquisition: Inherited
The Jannes Mullet Amish Barn is a charming tribute to New England’s farming heritage. The structure features a classic colonial barn design with a gable roof, a patchwork ledgestone front, white board-and-batten siding contrasted with large red barn doors, and an Amish buggy parked beneath the overhang.
Craggy Cove Lighthouse
Produced: 1987 - 1994
Original MSRP: $35
Dimensions: 8.5” x 6.0” x 8.0”
Acquisition: Inherited
The Craggy Cove Lighthouse exemplifies Cape Cod-style lighthouses that dotted the East Coast in the 1850s. Notable for the light tower rising from the charming, gabled house, the detailed construction includes a sturdy stone base and a glass lens at the top.
McGrebe Cutters & Sleighs
Produced: 1991 - 1995
Original MSRP: $45
Dimensions: 6.25" x 4.0" x 7.5"
Acquisition: eBay @ $23
Anchoring the northeast corner of the retail district, McGrebe Cutters & Sleighs is a multi-story chalet-style building with a stone facade entry, dormer windows, and green-shingled rooftop. The inviting storefront is adorned with winter decor, capturing the essence of holiday excitement.
Anne Shaw Toys
Produced: 1988 - 1990
Original MSRP: $27
Dimensions: 4.0” x 4.0” x 7.0”
Acquisition: eBay @ $21
Anne Shaw Toys is a whimsical, brightly lit gift shop with a mansard-style roof and a welcoming, festive storefront. One of the smaller buildings in the village, it embodies the spirit of giving and joy during the holiday season.
Ben's Barbershop
Produced: 1988 - 1990
Original MSRP: $27
Dimensions: 6.5” x 5.5” x 6.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $23
Anne Shaw Toys is a whimsical, brightly lit gift shop with a mansard-style roof and a welcoming, festive storefront. One of the smaller buildings in the village, it embodies the spirit of giving and joy during the holiday season.
Otis Hayes Butcher
Produced: 1988 - 1990
Original MSRP: $27
Dimensions: 4.25” x 4.25” x 5.5”
Acquisition: Inherited
The Otis Hayes Butcher shop embodies a traditional establishment that highlights the importance of local food sources. The charming building features a colorful storefront, contrasted by three sides of patchwork ledgestone and a dark shingled gable roof.
Moggin Falls General Store
Produced: 1998 - 2004
Original MSRP: $60
Dimensions: 7.75" x 5.25" x 6.25"
Acquisition: eBay @ $37
The Moggin Falls General Store is a rustic, wooden-faced building that is stocked with a little of everything, including kerosene, eggs, and fresh-cut Christmas trees. The wide front porch with rocking chairs provides a cozy spot to catch up on local gossip and reminisce about when a nickel could buy a giant pickle.
Stoney Brook Town Hall
Produced: 1992 - 1995
Original MSRP: $42
Dimensions: 6.5” x 5.5” x 5.0”
Acquisition: eBay @ $22
The Stoney Brook Town Hall stands as a symbol of civic pride, anchoring the west end of the retail district and featuring a brick exterior with white trim, 12-pane double-hung windows, and a dark-colored shake roof. It serves as a gathering place for important village events and embodies the importance of community governance.
Drummond Bank
Produced: 2003 - 2005
Original MSRP: $55
Dimensions: 4.75” x 5.75” x 7.0”
Acquisition: eBay @ $43
Drummond Bank is a stately, “Main Street” style brick-faced building with a formal, columned entrance and tall, vertical windows topped with a cupola on its flat rooftop. Conveying a sense of security, the bank symbolizes the importance of prosperity and financial stability within the village.
Woodbridge Post Office
Produced: 1995 - 1998
Original MSRP: $40
Dimensions: 6.0” x 4.75” x 7.0”
Acquisition: eBay @ $24
The Woodbridge Post Office is a two-story, red-brick building with six-pane windows, decorated with seasonal ornaments. Its architectural style matches that of the neighboring Drummond Bank, and it serves as a community hub where residents can buy stamps and send parcels.
W.M. Walton Fine Clocks & Pocket Pieces
Produced: 2000 - 2002
Original MSRP: $60
Dimensions: 5.5” x 4.5” x 6.0”
Acquisition: eBay @ $28
With plenty of time on his hands, WM. Walton Fine Clocks & Pocket Pieces offers the largest selection of timepieces imaginable. This mixed-use building features a retail false front and portico to disguise the Walton residence.
P.L. Wheeler’s Bicycle Shop
Produced: 1999 - 2002
Original MSRP: $57
Dimensions: 5.25” x 4.5” x 6.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $37
P.L. Wheeler’s Bicycle Shop adds vitality and energy to the village, offering a premier selection of bikes and accessories dating back to the late 1800s, from velocipedes to unicycles and Pennyfarthings. With ornate signage and bicycles adorning the exterior, it attracts both locals and visitors.
Hale & Hardy House
Produced: 1999 - 2001
Original MSRP: $60
Dimensions: 5.25” x 5” x 7.75”
Acquisition: eBay @ $43
The Hale & Hardy House is a sturdy, three-story duplex with hanging signs indicating the entrances to two first-floor offices: one for Dr. T.H. Hale’s general medicine practice and the other for attorney Benjamin Hardy. Good old-fashioned care and kind words are the backbone of this friendly operation.
Jeremiah Brewster House
Produced: 1995 - 1997
Original MSRP: $45
Dimensions: 6.75” x 6.0” x 6.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $24
The Jeremiah Brewster House is a traditional colonial “saltbox” style home with an asymmetrical, long-sloping rear roof designed to shed heavy snow. It features faded blue siding, a central chimney, shuttered windows, and a widow’s walk—a small, railed rooftop platform to maximize views.
Jannes Mullet Amish Farm House
Produced: 1989 - 1992
Original MSRP: $32
Dimensions: 6.5” x 4.0” x 5.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $25
The Jannes Mullet Amish Farm House is the smallest residential building in the village and reflects the simple, minimalist aesthetic and “quaint allure” of Amish culture rooted in communities throughout New England during the late 1800s.
Pennsylvania Dutch Farmhouse
Produced: 1993 - 1996
Original MSRP: $42
Dimensions: 8.0” x 5.0” x 5.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $24
The Pennsylvania Dutch Farmhouse displays a mix of European traditions and colonial American influences, emphasizing the popular “four-over-four” layout. Windows are highlighted with decorative crown molding, and a colorful “hex sign” is installed above the front door.
Thomas T Julian House
Produced: 1995 - 1997
Original MSRP: $45
Dimensions: 6.0” x 6.0” x 6.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $29
The Thomas T Julian House is an elegant two-story home featuring a Christmas tree on the front portico, paneled windows, and a distinctive turret—a round, cone-roofed extension on the front corner designed to give a castle-like appearance.
Berkshire House
Produced: 1989 - 1991
Original MSRP: $40
Dimensions: 7.0” x 5.0” x 5.5”
Acquisition: eBay @ $39
The Berkshire House embodies classic New England architecture, featuring a steeply pitched roof, dormer windows for attic light, a central chimney, wood-clapboard siding, and a cozy front porch where neighbors might gather.
Shingle Creek House
Produced: 1990 - 1994
Original MSRP: $40
Dimensions: 7.5” x 5.75” x 5.25”
Acquisition: Inherited
The Berkshire House embodies classic New England architecture, featuring a steeply pitched roof, dormer windows for attic light, a central chimney, wood-clapboard siding, and a cozy front porch where neighbors might gather.
Captain’s Cottage
Produced: 1990 - 1996
Original MSRP: $44
Dimensions: 6.25” x 4.75” x 6.0”
Acquisition: Inherited
Captain’s Cottage tells a story of maritime living, with its charming symmetrical design and stacked front porches supported by decorative columns. This home exudes a cozy, seaside atmosphere, featuring a snow-covered shingled roof, a prominent chimney, dormer windows, and weathered shake lap siding.
