Walt Disney
Hometown and Walt's Barn & Dreaming Tree
When I found out that Walt Disney’s Hometown was in
Marceline, Missouri – well, I just had to stop. I still remember going to
Disneyland as a kid, and “The Wonderful World of Disney” on television every
Sunday evening, and my first movie a drive-in to see “Jungle Book” with Fran
and JJ when I was probably age 5. And of course I’ve been to Disneyland,
Disneyworld, Disney California Adventure, and a bunch of Disney parks as an
adult. With fond Disney memories scattered throughout my life, I wanted to see
where it all began.
And Marceline is
still quaint and charming. An old railroad town, the railway still runs through
town. But unlike so many old towns, the Main Street literally looks great and
just like Disney’s Main Street – because this one was the inspiration for Walt.
There are shops and spots all over town that inspired Mr. Disney long after he
left Missouri.
The town has a
wonderful Walt Disney Museum, and it’s definitely worth the stop. For a small
town, they have done an incredible job with this museum. And Walt’s sister
donated thousands of items to the town, which have created a very unique feel
to this place. You can see what Marcline looked like back in 1906 when the
Disney’s moved to town. You can walk through a replica of Walt’s boyhood school
room. You can sit on a replica of the porch that Walt drew on (with a replica
of his drawing too). The museum has an impressive collection, has done a beautiful
job sharing details of Walt’s family and childhood, and pays a wonderful
tribute to Marceline’s favorite son.
On the way out of
town, I drove by Walt’s Childhood Home. It’s a private residence now, but it’s
a charming home. And out behind the home you can stop and visit the Barn and
the Dreaming Tree. The Barn was used as
inspiration in Disney features and movies – and the public is welcome to walk
back to it (a few hundred yards from the road). As a child, Walt produced a
Barn Circus here. And you are welcomed to leave your autograph on one of the
interior walls – so, if you stop, make sure to look for mine.
On the way back to
your car, you must stop at Walt’s Dreaming Tree. There is a large section of it
at the museum, and many many paintings of it around. Sadly, the original
Dreaming Tree was struck by lightning years ago, and eventually had to be taken
down – but they preserved what they could (they even sell small pieces at the
gift shop), and planted ”Son of Dreaming Tree” in its place. You can really
imagine Walt laying in this very spot, under the shade of a big beautiful tree,
and imagining all of the wondrous things that came from that amazing man.
Next time you’re in
the area, swing by Marcline – it’s definitely worth the detour. Walt Disney
said: “More things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened
since, or are likely to in the future.”
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