Imagine... if every child, family and community could achieve their highest and best purpose in life because that one single life story inspired them.
Walt Disney dreamed big and rose up from humble beginnings in a small community in Chicago…
At The Walt Disney Birthplace, that hope, tenacity and courage of a mid-western child lives on for all of us to believe that anything is possible.
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A carpenter with a growing family, Elias Disney decided to build a home and put down roots in Chicago.
He purchased property on the southwest corner of Tripp Avenue on October 31, 1891.
On November 23, 1892, Elias obtained a permit to build a two-story, 18 x 28 foot wood cottage for $800.
Flora, Walt's mother, drew up the architectural plans and Elias, Walt's father, built the house. In early 1893, the Disney family settled into their new home with their two sons: Herbert and Raymond. Shortly thereafter, their third son, Roy, was born on June 24, 1893.
Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, on the second floor.
And on December 6, 1903, the Disneys welcomed their fifth child, Ruth.
On February 10, 1906, Elias sold the property to Walter Chamberlain, moving his family to Marceline, Missouri.
In 1991, Chicago attempted to designate the property as a historical landmark but the owner fought the designation and won, putting the home at risk of demolition.
The Present: After years of neglect, the home is purchased with the intent to restore it to its 1901 state. The new owners are working with the City to protect the home forever.
After a hiatus, Creativity Days, the FREE community block party and arts festival, is returning to the Walt Disney Birthplace on Saturday, June 24, 2023, Roy O. Disney’s 130th birthday! The […]
Thanks so much to all of you who joined the Walt’s 121st Birthday celebration at the Birthplace on Monday, Dec. 5th, 2022! The weather was surprisingly mild and we had […]
We are so happy to be back with in-person events at The Walt Disney Birthplace, kicking things off with Walt’s Birthday on December 5th! This is Chicago’s 9th Annual Birthday […]
Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2020! VIP Reception: 3:00 — 3:30 PM (PST) 5:00 — 5:30 PM (CST) 6:00 — 6:30 PM (EST) Main Event: 3:45 — 5:00 PM (PST) 5:45 — 7:00 PM (CST) 6:45 — […]
Theme park and family travel journalist Tarah Chieffi wrote a great article about a cross-country road trip inspired by Walt Disney’s own travels from Chicago, IL out to the West […]
