Beginnings

The Big D 56ers was founded by Betty Lombardi in 1990 as the Department 56 Cottage Collectors Club of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. The Constitution and By Laws were ratified February 9, 1991. This was one of the first three Department 56 clubs in the country, the first in Texas, and the first club to join the National Council of Clubs. Meetings were held in the Community Room of the Richardson Square Mall. Within one year the membership was at 127. Many aspects of the club have their roots in the first years of the club like a holiday tour of homes, programs which alternate between educational and social, and the club newsletter The Village Tribune. Club founder Betty Lombardi was also an instrumental force in the organization of the National Council of 56 Clubs. Betty had compiled a list of 110 active Department 56 clubs throughout the country and it was this list that formed the basis of the NCC. Because of her dedication, the Big D 56ers bestowed upon her the honor of "Lifetime Member". The club presidents have been Betty Lombardi, Joette Lyles, Don Dennis, Gary Baumann, Bill Berthier, Liz Reynolds, Andy Lepine, Marylin Smith, Lila Wright, Pat Conway, and David Reynolds. 

Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has been the center of interest for the Big D 56ers in several ways. Each year since 1995 club members go to the Ronald McDonald House prior to Christmas and set up a North Pole display for the enjoyment of the children and their families. Also, throughout the years the club has had a variety of activities that have raised funds with donations going to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. 

Texas Roundup

While returning from the first NCC convention in Williamsburg, Pat Conway wondered why Texas did not have its own Department 56 gathering. Sixteen months later, in 1995, Pat served as Event Chairperson of the first Texas Roundup. Since that first Roundup, the gathering continued the combination of seminars, displays, vendors, and fun eventually evolving into the Region 8 Roundup.