Neighborhood News: ‘Disney100: The Exhibition’ celebrates a century of magic in Logan Square
The Walt Disney Company began “with a mouse and a dream” a century ago. It was the dream of a Chicago boy named Walter Elias Disneyand his brother Roy. Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, at 1249 Tripp Avenue, in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood. His home is now a museum.
After attending McKinley High School and cartooning for the school newspaper, he and his brother established Laugh-O-Gram Studio, and moved to Hollywood in July 1923 at age 21, according to Wikipedia sources.Although New York was the center of the cartoon industry, he was attracted to Los Angeles because his brother was convalescing from tuberculosis there, and Disney hoped to become a live-action film director. Mickey Mouse first appeared in May 1928.
The rest, as they say, is Disney magic.
Lots more Disney magic will be on display at Logan Square’s Disney100: The Exhibition, at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, 2367 W. Logan Boulevard, (formerly known as the Windy City Fieldhouse) now through early 2024.
Disney-philes young and old can delight in more than 250 artifacts and props, costumes from Disney classics, and explore enchanting galleries that bring the magic of Disney to life. Images and displays from the recent acquisitions of Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL sit along the likes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and recent releases such as Encanto (2021).
Secret Chicago promises poses with the ‘Incredibles Family’ from Disney and Pixar’s The Incredibles(2004), or snapping a photo with Mickey, Goofy, or Dopey.
According to a Sun-Times article, there’s even a hologram of Walt Disney. As the Sun-Times recounts. “People will actually see the man himself.”
The date of the opening of Disney100 coincides with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s birthday. The pair made their first on-screen appearance in Steamboat Willie, which premiered in New York City on November 18, 1928.
Disney100: The Exhibition’s hours are Monday and Wednesday– Friday 9:30am–7pm (last session 5:30pm), Saturday, 9am–8:30pm (last session 7pm), and Sunday, 9am–7pm (last session 5:30pm). The exhibit is closed on Tuesdays. For tickets, click here.
Walt Disney Day in Chicago on December 5
The Sun-Times also mentions another Disney celebration: December 5 is ‘Walt Disney Day’ in Chicago. The Walt Disney Birthplace at (a rezoned) 2156 N. Tripp Avenue plans to have treats, music and other holiday-themed activities outside the home on that day. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
