Dept. 56 Williamsburg: A July 4 Celebration of History

18th century Williamsburg, the colonial capital of Virginia, was a hotbed of American Revolutionary activity.  At the time, Virginia was known to be the largest, most populous, most wealthy colony in the Americas. In addition, as Horace Walpole noted, it "contain(ed) the best heads," including Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Mason.  During the Revolution, all of the other colonies, from Massachusetts to Georgia, looked to Virginia and Williamsburg, its capital, for leadership.  Therefore it is appropriate to introduce some of the new Department 56 Williamsburg Village buildings and accessories during our Independence Day celebrations.

Raleigh Tavern,
Present Day Williamsburg, VA
See "King's Arms Tavern
below and left.

In late1773 and 1774 Britain and the American colonies were involved in a tense set of action/reaction that was raising the anger and fervor on both sides of the Atlantic.  In colonial Boston, agitators boarded a ship laden with tea and threw the load overboard, rather than allowing it to be taxed or returned to England.  In response to this "Boston Tea Party," Britain  passed the Boston Port Act, closing Boston's busy commercial harbor.  In solidarity with the Boston patriots, the Virginia Burgesses  called for a day of prayer.  Then, in retaliation, Virginia's Royal Governor Dunsmore dissolved the House of Burgesses.  The Virginian leaders were not deterred, and simply moved to Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg to continue to continue conducting business.

Dept. 56, Williamsberg Series,
"King's Arms Tavern," #4021333
Striking similar to the Raleigh Tavern
above and right.

Meeting in Raleigh Tavern, (which looks strikingly similar to the "King's Arms Tavern of Dept. 56) the Burgesses continued to up the ante:  they voted to ban commerce with Britain; ordered no payments of debts to the British; pledged support to Boston; and elected representatives to a Virginia Convention. Williamsburg Village from Department 56King?s Arms Tavern

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"Drum Major and Brass Drummer,"
#4023620

In  March, 1775, in a rising tide of independence fervor, Patrick Henry gave his 'Give me liberty or give me death' speech at the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond.  After hearing of the speech, Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of the Virginia Colony, began to fear patriot military action.  He ordered all of the gunpowder removed from the magazine in Williamsburg and transferred to a British naval ship.  This was April 20, 1775, one day after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, though the Governor had not yet heard of these events. The Williamsburg militia rallied to protest removal of the gunpowder and threatened Dunmore's home.  Only when Petyton Randolph, the Speaker of the House of Burgesses, spoke did the crowd calm down.

Add caption

Soon after, a militia force lead by Patrick Henry marched to Williamsburg, where a compromise was reached before blood spilt.  The British paid 330 pounds sterling to the colonists to compensate for the powder. Thoroughly frightened now, Dunmore retreated to a Royal Navy vessel, leaving Williamsburg to the colonial powers. Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Fifes And Drums

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"Tavern Balladeers," #4020959

The King's Arms Tavern, established in 1772, was a popular spot for Williamsburg's leaders, who would meet to discuss business, politics, and eventually war with England.  The owner, Mrs. Jane Vobe, who was noted as a fine cook, attracted luminaries like George Washington and Baron Von Steuben.  Mrs. Vobe made her establishment a civic center by displaying the works of local artists, selling theater tickets, and advertising lost and found articles.   Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Tavern Balladeers

R. Carlton Coffeehouse in Williamsburg,
Photo from history.org

R. Charlton's Coffeehouse was another important site of Revolutionary action in Williamsburg. Very close to the colonial capital, R. Charlton's was a popular spot for politicians and gentlemen to gather in private rooms for hot coffee and chocolate and political plottings.

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"R. Charlton Coffeehouse,"
#4023619

The porch of the R. Charlton's Coffeehouse is particularly important to history.  In 1765 a mob of Williamsburg locals were incensed by the passage of England's Stamp Tax, and turned on George Mercer, a new Stamp Agent representing England's government.  Ironically, Mercer had served as George Washington's aide-de-camp during the French and Indian War, and been elevated to the rank of lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia Regiment.  Either the crowd didn't know, or didn't care.  Mercer was chased down Duke of Gloucester, the main street in Williamsburg.

He jumped onto the porch of R. Charlton to take refuge, where the Colonial Governor Fauquier interceded and saved him from harm.  Mercer later traveled to England, where he testified in Parliament that the Stamp Act could not be enforced without the introduction of troops into the colonies.  His testimony helped influence the English Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.  Sadly, Mercer died while undergoing treatment for mental illness in 1784.

Dept. 56, Williamsburg,
"Bruton Parish Church,"
#4018968

In subsequent blogs I will explore several other famous Williamsburg structures that are celebrated by Department 56, "Bruton Parish Church," "Tarpley's Store," and "Tallaferro-Cole House" and "Shop."

Department 56, Dickens' Village Chelsea Lane Christmas Display

Dept. 56, "Dickens' Village,"
"Chelsea Market Curiosities Monger and Cart,"
#58270

Shopaholics in the Department 56 Christmas Village community could not have failed to notice the preponderance of Chelsea Lane shoppers and vendors in Dickens' Village.  Just pause and consider the genetic reality:  a village addict...crossed with a shopping addict...in Chelsea....in Dickens' Village.....equals a critical mass of consumerism!  Department 56 "Chelsea Market Curiosities Monger & Cat" Set of 2 Retired

With no less than 7 Dickens' Village accessories specifically named after Chelsea, and many more implied, market place commerce is in full swing in a good Dickens miniature  village display.  But why Chelsea?  Why are there more vendors there than in any other part of London?  If you are questioning that, you have a great mind, and great minds think alike...

Chelsea, map from
Maps-of-london.com
So let's talk geography first, since, asTom Biebrach said, "Geography allows us to see the world more clearly."  Chelsea is located on the Thames, just a couple of miles upstream (southwest) from the London center, Westerminster Abbey, and Big Ben.  Chelsea sits on the north bank of the Thames, and is due south of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.  The Battersea Bridge links Chelsea with Battersea.

Family of Thomas More, painted by the great Hans Holbein.
Thomas is in black in the center, with his head still firmly attached.

Chelsea became fashionable in the 16th century, when Thomas More built a large home there to accommodate his extended family.  More was the Chancellor of England, appointed by King Henry VIII.  From Chelsea it was convenient for More to row (not that HE rowed, mind you) downstream to attend the affairs of state.  Likewise, it was convenient for important personages of the day, including the King himself, the humanist Erasmus, and the painter Hans Holbein the Younger to row (read: be rowed) to visit Thomas.

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Tower of London," # 58500

The King revered Thomas at first, but it didn't last.  When Henry dissolved the Catholic Church in England and took over the its lands, monasteries, and administration, a devout More balked and refused to sign an oath that the King was head of the Church.  Sadly, Chelsea's location on the Thames once again proved convenient, but this time it was for More to be rowed to the tower of London for his trial and execution. Department 56 "Tower of London" Set of 5 Dickens Village

Chelsea All Saints Church

Henry sent More to his death in part because the King wanted to dispose of his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry Anne Bolyn.  But Henry soon rid himself of Anne also, only to marry Jane Seymour, in All Saints (Old Chelsea) Church.  Ironically, Old Chelsea church was very near the home of his longtime, and by then beheaded, friend Thomas More.  More had commissioned a chapel in this church, and had sung in its choir, and one wonders if Henry thought about his deceased friend and chancellor during his marriage ceremony Jane.

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Whittlesbourne Church," #58211

It is uncanny how closely Department 56's Whittlesbourne Church resembles the reconstructed Chelsea All Saints.

After Thomas's death, King Henry seized More's house on what is now Beaufort Street, evicting the widow of his former Chancellor.  Later Henry decided to have a residence in Chelsea as well, he chose to build his Manor House near More's old home, on what was to become a famous address, Cheyne Walk, next to Old Chelsea Church.  Two other wives of Henry, Catherine Parr and Anne of Cleves, lived in Henry's new digs here.  Indeed, Chelsea became one of Henry's playgrounds.  It also became the playground for future generations of the noble and wealthy.

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Chelsea Lane Shoppers," #58165

By 1692, Chelsea had become a "village of palaces," 3000 strong, where the rich went to see and be seen. Department 56 "Chelsea Lane Shoppers" Village Collection

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,

"Chelsea Market Mistletoe Monger and Cart,"

#58262

Of course, where the rich go, go also the merchants, to separate them from their money.  Dept 56, Heritage Village Collection "Chelsea Market Mistletoe Monger & Cart"

Dept. 56, Dickens Village,
"Chelsea Market Fruit Monger and Cart,"
#58130

Nonetheless, Chelsea also remained largely rural with a substantial market garden economy.  Local farmers provided London with seasonal fruits and vegetables,  generally produced in small plots throughout the area.  HERITAGE VILLAGE COLLECTION "CHELSEA MARKET FRUIT MONGER & CART

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Chelsea Market Flower Monger and Cart,"
#58157

Chelsea became particularly noted for its flowers, especially in the Chelsea Physic Garden.  This garden was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, to allow its apprentices to study the medicinal qualities of plants.  It evolved into an important center of botany and "plant exchange."  For example, cotton seeds collected in the South Seas were sent to the Physic Garden, who disseminated them to Georgia.  India received tea saplings from China, through the efforts of the same staff. South American rubber plants ended up in Malaysia, because of work done at the Physic Garden.  Dept. 56, Heritage Village Collection "Chelsea Market Flower Monger & Cart"

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Chelsea Lane Fish Monger and Cart,"
#58149

It is not a stretch to think that local fishermen also provided London with fresh catches of the day.  Department 56 Heritage Village Collection ; Christmas in the City ; Dickens Village Chelsea Market Fish Monger & Cart Set of 2 1993 ; Handpainted Porcelain Accessories #5814-9

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Mulberrie Court Brownstones," #58345

By the 19th century, Chelsea's many gardens and farms had been encroached upon by London's growth.  Rows of vegetables became rows of houses near the water.  A series of these rowhouse was in Cheyne Walk.  This famous street followed the Thames River eastward alongside More's original estate, then cut along Chelsea Old Church, dipping inland near Carlyles' House and running beyond Queen's house.                                                                                                                                      

James Whistler, Portrait of his friend Thomas Carlyle,

"Arrangement in Gray and Black, No. 2"

This part of Chelsea became an enclave for artists, writers, and philosophers.  Jonathan Swift, Henry James, George Elliot and Thomas Carlyle took up residence there.  It also became the hangout of painters, like James Whistler, who painted his friend Carlyle shown to the right.

J.M.W. Turner, Watercolor,
"Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons"
Photo grom Cleveland Museum of Art.

J.M.W. Turner also resided in Cheyne Walk, using the pseudonym Admiral or 'Puggy' Booth, so he could remain anonymous.  Turner was famous for his impressionistic paintings, such as those depicting the burning of London in 1834.

Dept. 56, Historical Landmark Series,
"Victoria & Albert Museum," #799992

Approximately 25 works by Turner are house in the Victoria and Albert, which is just over 1 mile north of Cheyne Walk, near Kensington Gardens.  Department 56 Dickens Village Victoria and Albert Museum

D.G. Rossetti, Pre-Raphaelite Movement,
"Ecce Ancilla Domini!"
("The Annunciation")

Residing in Queen's House in Cheyne Walk was the poet and painter D. G. Rosetti, who hosted meetings of the new artistic movement called the Pre-Raphaelites. To historians looking back, the Pre-Raphaelites were a group of artists and writers who formed a movement to test and defy previous conventions of their genres.  They imbued their paintings with symbols and references to magic, and were not afraid to use new and unconventional subjects, drawing upon Shakespeare, Keats, and other sources for inspiration.

Dept. 56, Dickens' Village,
"Chelsea Market Tea Monger," #4020194

To the various artists, writers, and painters, living in Chelsea was stimulating.  They could visit one another's homes, discuss the newest trends, and even meet on the street to chat over a cup of tea. To their neighbors, the Pre-Raphaelites were just annoying because they kept a bestiary of animals, including peacocks, who disrupted everyone's quiet.

All in all, Chelsea is full of colorful history.  It is understandable why More lived there, Henry played there, artists and writers created there, and shoppers shopped there.  And Department 56 commemorates it all!

Kim Krum's North Pole Village Display: Animation Extravaganza

If Santa had Harry Potter's magic wand, imagine what he could do.....  From plates of ordinary cookies, placed on the hearth just for him,  Santa could conjure up dancing cookies that could sweep up their own crumbs as they were being eaten.  Santa could wave his wand over the Christmas tree, and all of the balls would fall to the floor, line up and form a conga line, dancing to "Jingle Bell Rock." Santa could tap a Christmas card, its picture of a sleigh would come to life, and the horse would prance out onto the living room floor, leaving muddy footprints on the carpet.

Better, Santa could flick his magic wand on an ordinary North Pole village, and poof!  It could become just like the moving, flickering, shining, musical village created by Kim Krum.

Kim has assembled this whimsical North Pole montage with wizardly finesse, using not only Department 56, but pieces from Mr. Christmas and materials from every hardware and electrical supply store within 50 miles. She did it all herself, including the backdrops, and the dreamy and humorous scene belies the technical feats hidden below.

"Underneath the tables is an electrical nightmare," Kim says.  "I had a booster put on our electrical outlet so I would keep to code. I have 60 electrical stripes with 80 strip relievers and every plug is used up!  I light it with 2 remotes."

Dept. 56, Snow Village Series,
"Stardust Drive-in Theater," #55064

Her neighbor counted 106 animated pieces, but was sure he missed some!  Kim has included Dept. 56 pieces like the Snow Village Stardust Drive-in Theater, and of course, Kim has placed elves intently watching the 12 scenes as they rotate through on the screen.

Dept. 56,  North Pole Series,
"Dash Away Delivery," #56438

Whip out your spyglass and try to zero in on some delicious details.  One of my favorites is the candy-striped hot air balloon in the far left of the picture, "Dash Away Delivery."

Dept. 56, North Pole Series,
"The Christmas Candy Mill," 56762

And, of course, "The Christmas Candy Mill".....

Dept. 56, North Pole Series,
"Yummy Gummy Gumdrop Factory," 56771

And the animated "Yummy Gummy Gumdrop Factory,"......North Pole Series - Yummy Gummy Gumdrop Factory

Dept. 56, North Pole/General Accessory
"Gumdrop Tree with LED Lights," #52967

...which produced the well-lighted Gumdrop Tree. Gum Drop Tree

Dept. 56, North Pole Series,
"Ice Races Today," 57217

Try to wrap your mind around the animation:  the ferris wheels, windmills, driving elves, flying reindeer, ice skaters, and carousels. And the piano that can really be played.

Dept. 56, General Village Accessories,
"Lighted Crystal Pines," 53083

Add all of the lights, from inside the crystalline trees, from the star atop village pine, through windows of every building, behind the carousel horses, from the backdrop mountains, from the gumdrops dripping from branches.

When you put it all together, Kim Krum's display is a moving, shining delicious dollop of Santa magic.

Department 56 North Pole Series: The Traditional and the Modern

Dept 56, North Pole,
"Trimming the North Pole," #56081

Among the elves and the reindeer of the Christmas miniature village in Department 56 North Pole, as in all political spheres, there are  traditionalists, who adhere to their long-standing cultural norms, and there are modernists, and nonconformists, who support the organic evolution of their culture.Dept 56 North Pole Collection "Trimming the North Pole"-1990 #5608-1

This difference of outlook is expressed in many ways, including through the institutions elves and reindeer support, activities they participate in, and very critically, in how they view the important cultural artifact, the Christmas tree.

Dept. 56, North Pole Series,
"Reindeer Flight School," #56404

Reindeer Education and Work In every suburb of North Pole Village, you can see traditionalist forces at work.  For example, visit some favorite reindeer haunts, such as the Reindeer Flight School.  All reindeer are expected to follow a rigorous academic-deer course at this most traditional institution.Department 56 North Pole Reindeer Flight School

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Flight Training," #57232

Here, during Flight Training, Santa's deer attend required courses in aeronautical sciences, studying toy weight distribution in sleighs, all-weather launching techniques, and navigational skills, like star-vector analysis. Department 56 North Pole Flight Training

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's Sleigh Launch," 56734

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Training Camp," 56436

Because of the physical nature of their work and the stress of their jobs, all working reindeer are assigned personal trainers.  The goal of the trainers, who operate out of the Reindeer Training Camp, is to craft each rangifer (the scientific moniker of reindeer) into a lean, non-mean flying machine.  It is vigorous physical education, with its roots in the training curriculum of Athens's classical age gymnasiums.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Games," 56853

On the other hand, modernist reindeer have adopted new,  and controversial, training techniques to more accurately reflect the gestalt of reindeer life.  Instead of just physical training that emphasizes competition, some reindeer prefer to train in non-competitive venues, like Reindeer Games.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Reindeer Spa," 56794

Additionally, after exercise, some reindeer believe that retiring to a calm and relaxed atmosphere, such as the Reindeer Spa, helps them gain perspective, relax and recharge, to better perform reindeer duty. Department 56 North Pole Reindeer Spa

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"A Well Deserved Reindeer Massage,"  #57210

Frequently, a Well Deserved Reindeer Massage is ordered to help relieve stress and the ache from muscle exhaustion.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Elves' Trade School, #56387

Elvan Education and Work In the Elf spheres, the forces of traditionalism versus modernism are just as pronounced.  Most elves are educated at the Elves Trade School, which, like the Reindeer Flight School, has a long history of meritorious service in the North Pole.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Leonardo and Vincent," #56801

In this venerable institution, each generation of Elvan students aisre trained in the Elvan "Trivium," including 1) fine arts, such as oil painting and "Polar Carving," as a medium to develop discipline for creative planning and toy production; 2) music, for coordination during manufacturing; and 3) rhetoric, for excellent communications with human target groups.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Polar Carving," #799957

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Passing Inspection with Flying Colors," #56898

After training, elf students are required to pass stringent tests which evaluate their toy-making expertise, a procedure called "Passing Inspection."  But traditionally-trained elves, as well as those who have advanced through less traditional career paths, have been forced to be receptive to new, contemporary, cutting-edge toys and technologies.

Dept 56, North Pole,
"Testing Video Games is the Perfect Job,"  #56875

In order to respond to requests from technologically skilled human children, for example, elves now enhance their computer skills with required courses, such as "Testing Video Games." Department 56 North Pole Testing Video Games Is The Perfect Job!

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Robbie's Robot Factory," #799998

Forward thinking  student elves also  update their electronic skill-sets in order to land prestigious jobs producing modern electronic toys in the North Pole's most advanced facilities, such as "Robbie's Robot Factory." D56 Dept 56 North Pole Robbie's Robot Factory

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's Sleigh Maker," #56950

Traditional and Modern Approaches to Transportation  Traditional and modern approaches are also being tested in the field of transportation in North Pole Village.  Traditionalist mechanics make sure that Santa's time-honored and most reliable mode of transportation, his sleigh, is in tip-top shape.  At the community "Santa's Sleigh Maker" facility, the latest operational and design data are incorporated into each year's model.Department 56 North Pole Santa Sleigh Maker Set of 2

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Santa's New Sleigh-Design #56," 57218

Note, however, elves typically use the older system of design technology, as in "Santa's New Sleigh-Design #56.)  Only recently have elves begun to utilize CAD-design processes, producing exciting new innovations.Department 56 North Pole Santas New Sleigh Design 56

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"A Happy Harley Day," 56706

Additionally, Santa recently was convinced to test-drive and adopt other, more modern and cutting-edge, transportation technologies, such as the North Pole Harley Davidson.  Santa was recently quoted in the North Pole Journal, discussing his new hobby of motocycle riding: "Two runners move the presents.  Two wheels move the soul."

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Let's Give It a Spin," #56441

Other advanced technical transportation modes are researched and developed at the "Hot Wheels Custom Car Shop." Let's Give It A Spin

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Motorcycle Test Drive," #799956

Testing of all new vehicles is conducted by volunteer elf engineers, who embrace new technologies. Department 56 North Pole Motorcycle Test Drive

Department 56, North Pole,
"Needle's Tree Farm, 56783

Christmas Tree Design and Production  It is the design and production of the Christmas tree, however, that best exemplifies how differently traditional and more "modern" groups in the North Pole think.  Any discussion of Christmas trees must begin at Needle's Tree Farm.  This quaint and fresh-fragranced lodge for many generations has been the store of choice for procuring traditional "live" (i.e., "dead,") real Christmas trees .  Thousands of trees are sold every year to elf and reindeer families.

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Delivering the Christmas Greens," #56373

Of course, given that the North Pole is happily situated in one of the largest old growth forests in the cosmos, and given that it is still sparsely-populated because of the inhospitable environment, (despite cosmic global warming,) some elves by-pass the commercial route.  Instead they make a tradition of finding, potting, and "Delivering the Christmas Greens" themselves to their families and friends for the holidays. Department 56 Delivering the Christmas Greens - Heritage Village

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"The Real Artificial Tree Factory,"  #4020205

In contrast, a group of environmentally conscious elves decided to try to cut down on the deforestation of the North Pole virgin tree canopies.  They conceived of a plan to produce and use real artificial Christmas trees.  Their new factory, "The Real Artificial Tree Factory," which opened recently, is now selling 31% of all Christmas Trees to North Pole Village, while employing hundreds of newly-trained elves. North Pole Village from Department 56Real Artificial Tree Factory

Dept. 56, North Pole,
"Tinting the Trees," #4020210

The real artificial tree manufacturing workforce is being given in-depth instruction in artificial tree design, decoration techniques, and tinting practices by the factory elves.  Production is rising rapidly.  In fact, the company is on track to overtake real live ("dead") Christmas tree production within 7.3629 years, approximately.  North Pole Village from Department 56 Tinting The Trees

As you can see, therefore, the communities of the Department 56 North Pole are flexible enough to accommodate not only those people and industries that may well be termed traditional, but also those groups that are trying new and nonconformist technologies.  For now, this provides a robust complex of old features and new thinking, which should sustain the culture and economy for many years to come.