From a humble home in Chicago to a legacy of magic that inspires the world, the Walt Disney Birthplace, in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood at 2156 N. Tripp Ave., marks the beginning of Walt Disney's life.
The Disney family, including Walt Disney's parents, Elias and Flora, and his siblings Herbert, Raymond, Roy, and Ruth, lived in the two-story wood cottage now known as the Walt Disney Birthplace.
Built in 1893 by his father, Elias, and designed by his mother, Flora, the two-story house welcomed Walt into the world on December 5, 1901. He shared a room with his older brother, Roy, until the family moved to Marceline, Missouri, in 1906.
The house had been sold throughout the years and was purchased by Dina Benadon and Brent Young in 2013 on a mission to restore it to its 1901 state and preserve its history.
The Walt Disney Birthplace, an organization that preserves and restores the childhood home of Walt Disney while promoting early childhood innovation and creativity, kicked off its first 2025 group tour on March 29. I took a tour with Rey Colón, a project director for The Walt Disney Birthplace, who guided us with insightful knowledge about the historical significance of Walt Disney's childhood home.
ABC7 Chicago reported that Walt Disney's childhood home in Chicago opened to the public for the first time during Open House Chicago on October 14-15, 2023
As a Chicagoan, I decided to participate in the tour to get a glimpse of Walt Disney's childhood home and explore the roots of Walt and where it all began.
Because of the magnitude of Disney’s success, the story of his rise is something I wanted to understand.
Here is the tour of the Walt Disney House, where I made a video that reveals each room, offering a detailed look at the home's historical significance.
Parlour
The parlor, once a space for socializing and entertainment, was where Elias Disney would play his fiddle to entertain guests. Before funeral homes became common, it also served as a place for visitations, and over time, they came to be known as the living room.
The room's original wood trim, replicated throughout the house, was uncovered in a closet under the stairs, and the upscale furnishings reflected the style Elias used to showcase the homes he was selling.
Kitchen
The kitchen was still in the process of being built, with surprises along the way. A pile of chimneys indicates the stove was likely wood or coal burning, and a horseshoe discovered along the way means good luck. The house also had a washroom with plumbing vents on the roof, revealed by a City of Chicago inspector.
Wash closet
The wash closet, an important innovation providing indoor plumbing and a toilet, was a rare feature for its time, with no bathtub and water being boiled for a portable tub, and it remains unfinished with original wood trim and rosettes.
Dining Room
The dining room was a central space for the Disney family, where they gathered for meals and family discussions. Given the time period, it was likely a multifunctional space used for schoolwork, planning Elias’s business ventures, and family bonding. The room would have been warmed by a wood-burning stove, much like the rest of the house
Elias and Flora's bedroom
Up the stairs, to the right, is Elias and Flora Disney's bedroom. This bedroom is unique because this is where Walt Disney was born. The original floor in this room is largely still intact, and restorers found a secret vault under the floorboards where Elias kept valuable papers.
Walt and Roy's Bedroom
Just next to Elias and Flora is the blue room where Walt and Roy reside. Despite an eight-year age gap, Walt and Roy were inseparable friends, and their bond developed in this same room. Roy was well over eight years older when Walt was born, and they remained friends throughout their lives.
Herbert and Raymond's Room
Down from Walt and Roy's bedroom was the blue trim, sunny yellow room. Herbert and Raymond, the two oldest of the Disney brothers, occupied this room. They were born in Florida while Elias and Flora ran a hotel near Daytona Beach, but later the family moved to Chicago. Ruth likely slept in this room as well during her childhood before the family moved away.
Booking a group tour
Taking this tour is a must if you are ever in Chicago. The Chicago Architecture Center featured The Walt Disney Birthplace in Open House Chicago. As Disney continues to explore new topics and themes, it is essential to always remember where it all started. From cruises to Disney Channel show reboots, Walt Disney has left a lasting legacy in our society.
.Visit the Walt Disney Birthplace Group Tours website to secure a spot in the next upcoming tour.