Following a successful fundraising campaign, Phase One of the restoration of Walt Disney’s birthplace has begun.
The house that Walt Disney and his brother Roy were born in was designed and built by his parents and sits in a quiet residential area just outside of downtown Chicago. The home is in need of restoration to return it to its authentic state. However the project’s aims extend beyond the restoration of the house. Research will be undertaken into this period of the Disney family’s history and ultimately it is hoped that the property will help promote the importance of family in nurturing creativity, collaboration and innovation in children.
The “Let’s Start Some Good!” campaign raised over $51, 000, well above the initial target. The day the campaign ended, December 5th, 2014, was also Walt’s 113th birthday and to celebrate candles were lit outside the house and children from The Miracle Center, a local youth group, sang a special “Happy Birthday” song for Walt.
Phase One of the restoration work will involve painting and sealing the original wood exterior siding on the sides facing the street as well as replacing ten of the windows with Victorian glass, hardware and fixtures.
Phase Two is scheduled to begin Spring 2015.
For more information see www.TheWaltDisneyBirthplace.org
