Welcome to the
Walt Disney
Birthplace
Disney Birthplace Launches $250K Campaign for Immersive Transformation
The Walt Disney Birthplace is setting its sights on turning the impossible into the possible with an ambitious goal: raise $250,000 to transform the very home where Walt and Roy Disney dreamed their first dreams into a fully immersive, sensory experience unlike anything else in historic preservation.
This is more than just another museum. This is a shared transformational experience of a global icon. There will be no velvet ropes. Instead, visitors will step into the story.
Imagine...
Imagine being at the very beginning of the most creative, innovative and inspiring life story ever told...
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.
In Our Community
Step Into Walt's Story - Open House Chicago
The Walt Disney Birthplace made its debut in the 2023 Open House Chicago festival, welcoming over 1,600 visitors eager to explore the home where Walt’s story began. Its overwhelming popularity earned it a return invitation for the 2024 & 2025 events.
Joanna Disney Miller Brings Walt's Legacy To Schools
Local schools, including William P. Nixon Elementary—once attended by Roy O. Disney—have welcomed educational programs that celebrate Walt Disney’s legacy and spark student imagination. These efforts are part of a growing outreach initiative led by The Walt Disney Birthplace.
Walt's Birthday Celebration Brings Community together
Since 2013, the Walt Disney Birthplace has hosted a free annual birthday celebration every December 5th, featuring cake, singing, and a candle-lighting ceremony in Walt’s childhood bedroom. In 2016, Joanna Disney Miller, Walt’s granddaughter, joined the event, sharing words with the gathered community on the front porch.
A Little Library of Stories & Memories
A heartfelt gift from Greg Waller brought a special touch to The Walt Disney Birthplace — a free “little library” designed to resemble the home itself. This charming library is dedicated to the memory of Greg’s wife, Diana Waller, a passionate supporter of the project and a true believer in the power of community.
Thanks to the Hermosa neighborhood, the library stays full of books, VHS tapes, and other treasures — a living, ever-changing tribute to imagination, learning, and giving back.
Creativity Days
Celebrate Imagination, Community & the Legacy of Roy O. Disney
The Walt Disney Birthplace invites you to Creativity Days, a joyful celebration of artistic expression, childhood wonder, and the lasting legacy of Roy O. Disney, co-founder of The Walt Disney Company. Held in the heart of Chicago’s historic Hermosa neighborhood, this event welcomes dreamers of all ages to imagine, create, and connect.
This year, we honor what would be Roy O. Disney’s 133rd birthday, celebrating the vision he and his brother Walt shared—and the magical world they inspired.
Past Event Highlights
Live Art & Tinkering Stations
Hands-on creativity for kids and adults - paint, build, craft, and play!
Live Performances
Enjoy inspiring music, dance & local community talent.
Local Cuisine
Taste delicious bites and local flavors from neighborhood favorites.
Giveaways & Family Fun
Win prizes, make crafts, and discover magical surprises throughout the day!
At the heart of Creativity Days is the Creativi-Tree—a living symbol of imagination and hope. Write your dreams on colorful ribbons and hang them on its branches, creating a shared tapestry of community wishes. Whether you’re an artist, a parent, a performer, or simply a dreamer, come be a part of this inspiring day where art meets imagination at the very place where Walt Disney’s story began.
“As we celebrate the power of creativity, we believe the arts have the ability to transform communities and inspire the next generation to dream big, create freely, and believe anything is possible.”
— Dina Benadon, Founder,
The Walt Disney Birthplace