The Walt Disney Museum

In the mid to late 1950s, there were no home TVs. In a lot of places blacks still couldn't drink from the same faucets as whites or eat in the same diners.

Until 1963 (third grade) we saw movies once a year, and often at the drive in with tinny speakers that hung from the window. The school closed down when President Kennedy was killed and we watched the funeral on a TV wheeled into our classroom. Birthday parties were always at home and included dropping clothespins into milk bottles and playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey and we dressed up in Sunday school dresses. We put our hands over our hearts at school for the Pledge of Allegiance and practiced getting under our desks for air raids.

Life was moving so fast we had to run to keep up. I owned my very own microwave (1982), VHS player (1985), computer (1986),  cell phone (1999). Until 1969, girls wore skirts to (public) school that could only be 2" above the knee, and we were sent home for wearing mascara or go-go boots on days it didn't rain. In 1982, CNN was the only network to offer 24 hour newsreporting.

And then there was Disney. My family made an annual pilgrimage to Disneyland and to keep occupied on the drive we would study the map and talk endlessly of our favorite rides and where to use the ticket books. From the outskirts of Pasadena we'd have our eyes glued to the skyline to see who could spot the top of the Matterhorn first.

I saw Mr. Disney once. The family stood waiting for the parade on Main Street and my father noticed him standing at the window and pointed him out. Mr. Disney. Right there.

In-between visits it was Disney, too: Cartoons, lampshades, lunch boxes, The Wonderful World of Disney Sunday night show. My head was busy with all this stuff as we toured the Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio yesterday. They have done a remarkable job of preserving and presenting a magical historical diorama of Walt's exemplary life and his vision that changed the world.

There are walls and walls of awards -- Academy Awards (one with one big and seven little statuettes the year he won for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and a Medal of Freedom. Every culture, every country, every language, every voice paid homage to his genius.

Also in use are old radios my parents and grandparents used, and tvs, too, and all of our friends are dancing and singing, Dumbo and Mickey, Cinderella, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins. There is a really fascinating history of the hard driven work ethic of Walt's youth that propelled his dream forward by sheer will and perseverence through countless obstacles and setbacks.

There were interactive displays, a complete model of Disneyland in 1955, and the more technical side of cameras and editing that allowed for music and actor/animation and full length cartoon development. There's a theatre. And a cafe. And the most magnificent view of the Golden Gate I've ever seen.

We have been fortunate to live in an age with huge advancements that have improved and enriched our lives. But I cannot imagine what life would be like without Disney - maybe like watching The Wizard of Oz forever from a 9" black and white TV set. His genius added color and hope and joy to life while reacquainting us with the best in ourselves. He reminded us anything is possible if you believe.

Thank you, Mr. Disney.

http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html