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DEPARTMENT 56 HISTORY
Some twenty-five years ago, 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.
Now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Department 56 has become a leader in the giftware, collectibles and holiday decorating industry and is best known for hand-crafted lighted villages, Snowbabies™ figurines and extensive lines of holiday and home decorative products.
Department 56 is a major force in the giftware and collectible industry. As the company looks to the future, Department 56 plans to actively explore new avenues for growth. Rest assured, Department 56 artists are constantly busy coming up with new and unique ways to pique your interest. And touch the collector's heart in everyone.
1976
The foundation of Department 56 took shape with the introduction of six charming, lighted, ceramic buildings. These six premiere items were the beginnings of the Department 56 Original Snow Village®.
1979
The original Department 56 Original Snow Village designs were retired in order to accommodate 12 new introductions as well as the appearance of the first Department 56 Village accessories.
1984
The concept of The Heritage Village Collection® was developed. The first release was the Department 56 Dickens Village Series®, a collection of seven nostalgic shops and a church. All designed to capture the spirit of Christmas in Victorian England.
1987
The Heritage Village collection continued to grow with the addition of the hustle and bustle of Department 56 Christmas in the City® and the inspiring Little Town of Bethlehem™.
1990
The legend of Santa became a part of the Department 56 tradition with the addition of The North Pole Series to The Heritage Village Collection.
1994
This year brought the introduction of the Department 56 Disney Parks Village Series™ and Snowbunnies®.
1997
The 10th anniversary of Department 56 Snowbabies was celebrated with the creation of the Snowbabies Freindship Club™. The Classic Ornament Series was also introduced, giving collectors a new way to enjoy classic pieces long since retired.
1998
The first year-round village, Seasons Bay™, makes a splash onto the marketplace, representing a late 19th-century American resort town. Elf Land™, an extension of the Department 56 North Pole Series™, was also introduced as a suburb where the elves lived and played after the holidays.
1999
In May, the first-ever Department 56 corporate retail store opened in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, a move that enhanced both brand and product profile. And for the first time, Department 56 introduced pieces that included exquisite interior detail.
2001
This year, Department 56 and The Original Snow Village® Collection both turned 25.
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