A look back at some of the first Snow Village pieces: 1976

These ceramic pieces were the "Original Six" village pieces released by Department 56 in 1976. They were all part of the "Original Snow Village" series. All pieces are lighted, hand painted and numbered on the bottom.

As it says right on their corporate website, "One Christmas evening, a group of friends set off to enjoy a dinner of celebration at a small country inn nestled in a quiet river town. As they rounded a bend in the road, they saw the small, old-fashioned village decorated for the holidays. The lights, like fairies, glowed and sparkled amid the freshly fallen snow. All evening, the conversation was full of Christmas memories and the visions the tiny town had evoked. Amidst the jovial banter and magical memories, the idea for a lighted Christmas village was born. That spark of an idea became a reality when, in 1976, Department 56 introduced a series of six hand-painted, ceramic buildings. The rest is history."

Mountain Lodge, retired in 1979










Gabled Cottage, retired in 1979













The Inn, retired in 1979











Country Church-Wayside Chapel, retired in 1979












Steepled Church, retired in 1979













Small Chalet(Gingerbread), retired in 1979











More information can be found on the Department 56 Wikipedia page