In this guide, we’re highlighting 10 of the most valuable Original Snow Village buildings ever released. Each listing includes the name, production years, and an estimated market value based on appraisals, resale data, collector interest, and my years of experience reselling Department 56.
Whether you’re evaluating your own collection or keeping an eye out at estate sales, this list will help you spot the true treasures of The Original Snow Village.
Curious about the most valuable Department 56 village buildings ACROSS ALL SERIES? Don’t miss my blog post👉 Ultimate Guide to the Most Valuable Department 56 Village Pieces.
- 1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Boss Shirley’s House
- 2. Cathedral Church
- 3. Adobe House
- 4. Mobile Home
- 5. Mission Church
- 6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation The Department Store
- 7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Todd & Margo’s House
- 8. Log Cabin
- 9. Skating Rink & Duck Pond
- 10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Jogging Todd & Margo
Original Snow Village Top 10 Most Valuable Pieces
Since its debut in 1976, The Original Snow Village has become a cornerstone of Department 56 collecting. Inspired by small-town Americana, this series captures the charm of holiday traditions, hometown nostalgia, and bustling Main Streets filled with festive spirit. Over the years, some Original Snow Village pieces have become highly valuable—not just for their sentimental appeal, but for their rarity and strong demand in the secondary market.
Here are the top 10 most valuable Department 56 Original Snow pieces. Starting with the most valuable.
1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Boss Shirley’s House
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $1500-$3000
- Year Released: 2015 (mid-year) / Retired: 2016
- Original MSRP: $120
- Notes: This is the 4th building in the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation subseries. Some of the molds have a wreath on the front door, while others have no wreath.
2. Cathedral Church
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $1500-$2500
- Year Released: 1980 / Retired: 1981
- Original MSRP: $36
- Notes: This is the rarest of all church designs, inspired by St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, MN. Some of the buildings may have felt glued onto the bottom, which was added at the factory to cover up chips and cracks.
3. Adobe House
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $1500-$2000
- Year Released: 1979 / Retired: 1980
- Original MSRP: $18
- Notes: This is one of the rarest buildings in the Original Snow Village series. Some of the buildings may have fingerprints that occurred during production. This is a southwestern design with no snow, and a fun foreshadowing of the newest Department 56 core village series, Christmas Canyon.
4. Mobile Home
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $1000-$1500
- Year Released: 1979 / Retired: 1980
- Original MSRP: $18
- Notes: Designed to look like an Airstream trailer from the 70s, this is one of the rarest pieces in the entire Original Snow Valley collection. Issues with paint adhering well and streaking forced this piece into early retirement. Look for an intact trailer hitch for the highest value.
5. Mission Church
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $1000-$1350
- Year Released: 1979 / Retired: 1980
- Original MSRP: $30
- Notes: This is one of the rarest buildings in the Original Snow Village series. Some of the buildings may have fingerprints that occurred during production. This is a southwestern design with no snow, and a fun foreshadowing of the newest Department 56 core village series, Christmas Canyon.
6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation The Department Store
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $675-$1000
- Year Released: 2018 / Retired: 2018
- Original MSRP: $125
- Notes:
7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Todd & Margo’s House
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $600-$900
- Year Released: 2014 (mid-year) / Retired: 2015
- Original MSRP: $110
- Notes: There are two releases of this design. The first edition was released in 2014 and was called “Todd & Margo’s House”. This is the version that has the higher Estimate Value. It can be identified by two ceramic trees on each side of the front door. This design was reintroduced in 2022 and was called “The Chester House,” and is still being produced. This design can be identified by the two bottle brush trees on each side of the front door and is far less valuable.
8. Log Cabin
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $450-$900
- Year Released: 1979 / Retired: 1981
- Original MSRP: $22
- Notes: This is a small, less detailed log cabin. This is a very rare piece that is very fragile (the ski tips in particular).
9. Skating Rink & Duck Pond
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $700-$750
- Year Released: 1978 / Retired: 1979
- Original MSRP: $16
- Notes: This is a set of 2 lighted pieces that includes: 1) a skating rink with a snowman, a wood pile, and a lighted tree, and 2) a duck pond with a bench, bluebirds, and a lighted tree. The original item includes both the skating rink and duck pond; however, they may be sold separately on the secondary market.
10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Jogging Todd & Margo
- ESTIMATED VALUE: $500-$750
- Year Released: 2014 (mid-year) / Retired: 2016
- Original MSRP: $27.50
- Notes: Coordinates with “Todd & Margo’s House”
As you can see, some Department 56 Original Snow Village pieces have become highly valuable over the years—especially those with limited production runs or strong nostalgic appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, keeping an eye on these high-value pieces can help you make smart decisions when buying, selling, or valuing your collection.
Looking to explore more rare finds? 👉 Check out the most valuable pieces from the Dickens’ Village and Christmas in the City collections next!
