2025 Christmas Village
The Jaffrey Historical Society and the Jaffrey Civic Center are pleased to present a Christmas Village, created by Jaffrey resident Peter Lambert, on display at the Civic Center November 19-December 20. The 128 square foot village portrays the fictional town of Piscaquoddymoggin, New Hampshire, and shows coastal seaport, mountain, and rural farm scenes. Hundreds of villagers prepare for the Christmas season as skiers, fishermen, schoolkids, and herds of farm animals go about their business. A Christmas parade marches down Main Street, the town Christmas tree is getting decorated, and skaters waltz on the ice to the tunes of a Salvation Army band. There are even more surprises hidden throughout the village including a sasquatch, a curious whale, a sheepish sauna-goer, and characters from beloved holiday movies and TV specials.
New this year is a 32 square foot scene portraying the North Pole on Christmas Eve. See Santa, his elves, and reindeer hurriedly make ready for his flight around the world! The Polar Express steams through North Pole Square, an elf uses a hot-air balloon to spy on good and bad children, and a gang of penguins seem to be very lost!
This year’s village is twice as big as last years and is the culmination of 6 months work by Lambert. “I started a small village about 20 years go,” said Lambert. “I started enlarging it in 2014 after my nephews were born, and it expanded exponentially during Covid.” Every year his nephews requested specific additions to the village. Unable to fit this enormous display in his house, he showed off a version at the JHS last year. This year, though still sponsored by the JHS, it will be on display in the handicapped-accessible Cunningham Gallery on the second floor of the Civic Center. “We just couldn’t fit it in the JHS this year. I’m very grateful to the JHS and the Civic Center for encouraging me and allowing me to share this piece of the holidays with the public.”
The village will be on display November 19-December 20 during normal Civic Center hour: Wednesday thru Friday noon-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm, Sunday 2-4 pm. Special extended hours during the Jaffrey Christmas Tree Lighting December 5 and on Saturday December 13 to through 5 pm. It is free of charge.
