Photo Courtsey of Walt Disney Birthplace Restoration

I know most of the people that come here like to read about Walt and his famous Disney theme parks, but let me take you back to Chicago 1890.

Walt’s father, Elias Disney, a carpenter by trade decided to set roots in the ‘Windy City.’ Elias purchased property on October 31st, 1891 situated on the corner of Tripp Avenue and Palmer Street in Chicago. Elias was granted a building permit to build a two story home for Flora and their two sons, Raymond and Herbert.

Walt’s mother Flora designed the architectural plans, leaving the building work for Elias. The house was completed in early 1893 and Flora and Elias moved in with their sons, Raymond and Herbert. Roy was born a few months after they moved in; Walt and younger sister Ruth were born in the home a few years later. The family moved in 1906 to Missouri when Walt was 4.

Fast forward 114 years since Walt was born. A couple from California purchased the house in June 2014, after it had been on and off the market for the past 6 years. Brent Young and Dina Brenadon started the renovation of the house on Walt’s 113 birthday, December 5th, 2014. The couple are hoping the restoration will serve as a community resource and the mission will be to enhance and explore childhood creativity.

Photo Courtsey of Walt Disney Restoration Birthplace

The couple are still in the process of trying to secure landmark status for this famous home to make sure that it is kept as a national heritage site. They are hoping to raise $500,000 for the renovations through donations. Donors will be able to receive prizes, ranging from having their names listed in a book in the house to a one-night stay there.

The biggest message behind this restoration is that these two amazing men, Roy and Walt Disney came out of an average neighborhood. It truly IS the American Dream.

DIStracted Tip: May 29, 2015, from 7:00pm till 10:00pm, there is a charity event which will take place at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The charity event will include special guests Paige O’Hara (Belle- Beauty and the Beast) and Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis the Alligator -Princess and the Frog) along with many others. Check out www.thewaltdisneybirthplace.org for more details on the event.