We are restoring the home designed and built by Flora and Elias Disney in 1893, just outside of downtown Chicago, for two reasons. We wish to honor the memory and legacy of Walt and Roy Disney, who were both born in this house. And we are going to use the
home as a platform to launch The Center for Early Childhood Creativity and Innovation, which will be dedicated to inspiring future generations of dreamers and doers.
(The Walt Disney Birthplace is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company in any way.)
For more information, please visit www.TheWaltDisneyBirthplace.org
The Vision For The Home
The restoration has begun, with the removal of the contemporary aluminum siding. Among the many exciting details that have already been revealed is a former window long hidden, and some of the original nails hammered in by Elias himself.
We are on the way, but we have a long road ahead. This campaign ends on December 5th, Walt's 113th birthday. As a gift to his memory, let's make this dream come true!
Phase One of the restoration, which we hope to fund with this campaign, would complete three goals:
1) Restoration of the upstairs windows
2) Restoration of the original wood siding on the two street-facing sides of house
3) Sealing and painting the two restored sides
As you might imagine, recreating Victorian-era glass panels, wooden window frames, and related fixtures is more expensive that simply purchasing modern off-the-shelf hardware. Each window will cost an average of $2,000 to restore properly.
We must complete this phase to protect the home from the brutal Chicago winter weather. And it will set the stage for Phase Two, which we plan to begin next Spring.
Phase Two will cover the following steps:
1) Restoration of the downstairs windows
2) Restoration of the front porch
3) Fencing and landscaping on the street-facing sides of the house
Phase Three and beyond will complete the restoration of the interior, the development of The Center For Early Childhood Creativity and Innovation, and more!
Here are the rewards we are offering for our supporters!
$10 – The Digital Art Pack! This includes a digital version of The Walt Disney Birthplace concept art by artist Clara Moon (seen at the top of the page), and a digital version of the "Restoration Dream Team Charter Member Certificate!"
$18 – The collectible Walt Disney Birthplace pin!*
$20 – One ticket to join a scheduled group tour of the restored home!*
$25 – The official Walt Disney Birthplace Restoration T-Shirt, available in black or white!*
$25 – We are also offering t-shirts for O-Zell, the soda that supports The Walt Disney Birthplace Restoration! For more information about O-Zell and its important role in Disney history, please visit
www.O-Zell.com.*
$25 – Complete your outfit with The Walt Disney Birthplace baseball cap!*
$25 – And the O-Zell baseball cap!*
$55 – This beautiful original art piece, reproduced as a limited-edition giclée, was created for the project by renowned artist Karen Armitage! (www.armitageimages.com).
Frame Not Included. Total giclée size: 13" x 19"
$125 – Become a permanent part of the home with your own dedicated paver stone, engraved with your name (three lines of text total)* placed on the walkway in front of and alongside the house.
$400 – This very special limited-edition Walt Disney Birthplace keepsake features an actual cedar shake fragment from the original house, the very wood cut and assembled by Elias Disney himself. Each one-of-a-kind chip is molded into a 4”
x 3” x 1” acrylic block.
$1,000 – V.I.P. Package! Includes the O-Zell hat, the two t-shirts, the collectible pin, a print of the Clara Moon concept art, the Karen Armitage print, the paverstone, the Cedar Shake Block AND one private tour of the restored home for
you and up to 3 guests!
$2,500 – "Window Sponsor!" Your name will be engraved on a brass plaque affixed to the interior of the window frame,* forever acknowledging your support PLUS the entire V.I.P. package ($1,000 level)!
$10,000 – "Live The Magic!" Your name inscribed on a plaque in the home's entryway, PLUS the entire V.I.P. package ($1000 level) PLUS One Overnight Stay for you and a guest in the restored home!
$40,000 – "Phase One Restoration Benefactor!" Your name will be engraved on the brass plaque* in front of the home, indicating that you are a "Cornerstone Backer" of Phase One of the restoration. Also includes the entire V.I.P. ($1,000 level)
package PLUS One Overnight Stay for you and a guest in the restored home!
*Please note that these are only artistic representations of the final rewards, and are subject to change.
