Finally, A Walt Disney Museum With Academic Chops
In the unforgiving world of public opinion, there are pushbacks, there are pushbacks, and then there's what the Disney empire will do to protect its brand. Remember that scene from South Park? Yeah.
The personal image of Walt Disney has taken more than a few hits over the last decade. In response his heirs are opening a $112 million museum in San Francisco, the purpose being to dispel some of the wilder myths about Walt Disney the man. The Walt Disney Family Museum, set to open in Fall 2009, will be run by the former deputy director of the Harvard University Art Museums, Richard Benefield.
The museum, made up of three buildings located in San Fran's Presidio, will be dedicated entirely to Walt's life. It will have 215 video monitors and feature all manner of unique Disney memorabilia. The exhibits will cover everything from the conditions of Walt's childhood to the production of Snow White to the political controversies that swirled around him.
Keep in mind that this is an initiative by Walt's family, which is distinct from the corporation. Getting a curator with academic credibility was important to them, just as keeping the project rigorous was important to the Benefield. The museum isn't supposed to be a whitewash or a vanity project.
In between descriptions of Walt's childhood, then, there will be exhibits about his troubles with unions and his testimony in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. So while the museum will of course be a destination for Disney aficionados, it should also appeal to mainstream museum buffs.
Ticket prices are still being worked out. The small museum will only allow 60 people at a time, and so people will be shuffled through every 15 minutes.
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[Photo: Walt Disney Family Museum via NYT]
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