ROCKWELL — If you listen closely as you near the Rockwell Museum, you just might hear the vendors hawking their wares or the Yeoman of the Guard as they march past the Tower of London or the clip clopping of the horses of the multiple carriages as they walk past Kensington Palace or past the various shops or you hear the train as it pulls into Victoria Station.

Walk in the doors of the area museum, 111 East Main St., Rockwell, and you can be transported to wintertime in Old London and the days of Charles Dickens and see the buildings, shops and more at the annual Festival of Trees and Village

The theme of this year’s village is The Old City — Dickens’ London, noted Mallory Allen, who sets up the village, with the help of her husband Walter who assists with the substructure and electrical portion of the building process.

This Christmas village features 100 buildings plus lots of figures representing people from all walks of life conducting business in the city or rural areas, playing, enjoying life in the park and so much more.

It’s a “village with a lot of depth,” said Allen, and it “tells a story. There are many little individual stories within every village that I do.”

In preparation for building the villages, Allen noted that she does a lot of research

“There’s a certain amount of historical accuracy and a certain amount of poetic license,” she mentioned concerning the villages. “I like architecturally correct buildings and places when I look at them and a lot of research.”

Prior to working in IT for 42 years, Allen shared that her background is in art history with a focus in architecture.

“This is returning to my original love.”

As visitors make their way around the village, they can be at the River Thames and see The Globe Theater and in no time watch the train make its way around the city and arrive at Victoria Station with St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Church beside the tracks, see the bagpipers in the garden at Kensington Palace with a view of the Victoria and Albert Museum placed right behind.

“One special scene is a camp for gypsies,” shared Allen.

Complete with a campfire and the gypsy caravans and horses, those visiting can see some of the workers along with a couple of musicians, a dancer and fortune teller.

Additional scenes, one of a rural farming community and the other of a mining town with a tin mine and several homes, are in the two front windows of the museum.

This is the 16th Christmas village that Allen has built, mentioning that it takes approximately 300 hours to construct one.

Because the themes are different each year, the buildings, landscapes and set up varies. However, one recurring item that is in most of the villages is the use of the train, which is a Bachmann ON30, she pointed out.

In addition to the village, visitors can see multiple Christmas trees decorated and placed inside the museum.

Decorated by local churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals, the themes of the trees range from Victorian to technology and from nature to candy canes and angels.

“It is not a contest,” Allen shared. There’s no judging and no prizes. They “just decorate the trees for everybody to enjoy.”

One new feature this year is the addition of a sale table offering people the opportunity to purchase excess village pieces.

Some of the buildings can be used over and over, Allen said, such as a barn or church; however, there are items very specific to a particular year such as the lighthouses used in the Carolina Christmas village that she doesn’t plan to use again. Or other items may be duplicates which have been bought perhaps at an estate sale or have been donated and thus, one can be sold.

There is no admission fee to attend; however, donations will be accepted.

The museum is a nonprofit organization with the Historic Rockwell Foundation. Tim Linker serves as its president, and Allen is a member of the board.

The Rockwell Museum Festival of Trees and Christmas Village kicks off Dec. 8 with a special appearance from Santa Claus on opening night and continues through Dec. 22. 

Hours are Monday through Friday from 6-8 p.m.; Saturday from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

This event, said Allen, is “a great way to kick off the Christmas season,” and all are encouraged to visit the museum and see this special exhibit.