Walt Disney's Birth Home to be Restored, Preserved in Chicago

The home on Chicago’s Northwest Side where Walt Disney was born has been sold to a California couple who reportedly plan to make it a historic landmark.

The two-flat home, located in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood, at 2156 N. Tripp Ave., was purchased by Brent Young and Dina Benadon and the two plan to turn the home into a historical site, museum and community resource "with the mission of enhancing and exploring childhood creativity."

Walt and his brother Roy were both born in the Hermosa home, which Disney’s father built in 1893, and the family lived there until Walt was around 4 years old.

Ald. Rey Colon (35th) told the Chicago Tribune that the couple’s plans for restoration will “really add to lifting up that particular part of the area.”

On Disney’s birthday Thursday, the new owners and Ald. Colon will join a team of preservationists and celebrators at the home to launch a Kickstarter campaign with hopes of raising $500,000 to fund renovations. Donors will receive a range of prizes from a one-night stay in the home to their name inscribed in a leather-bound book that will be featured in the house, the Tribune reported.

The team reportedly wants to bring the home to landmark status and hopes the home holds valuable memorabilia from Disney’s childhood, such as original cartoon drawings.
 

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