The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum launched its
series, "Spirit of America," on May 13 with an exhibit
titled, "Walt Disney: The Man and His Magic." It will
run through September 4, 2001.
According to the museum's website, the show "tells the story
of this American Original and how he influenced children and parents,
leaders and ordinary citizens, and people of all ages from around
the world. Using extraordinary items from the Walt Disney Family
Foundation, Retlaw Enterprises, and the Disney Corporation, this
exhibit provides an intimate glimpse of how a young Midwesterner
with a dream and an unsurpassed creative spirit came to be so well
known and loved by millions of people."
The Museum successfully gathered an impressive array of historical
artifacts including cartoon cells, artwork, miniatures and more from
the Disney family, and the Walt Disney Company. Particularly riveting
is the famous "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Academy
Award, which was presented to Walt back in 1938 by Shirley Temple.
Those guests to the Walt Disney Family Museum who can make it to
this outstanding exhibit should certainly make the effort. For the
majority of you, who cannot, we've featured photos of some of the
outstanding elements from the exhibit right here.
The library is located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California
and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Year's Day.

Entrance to one of the exhibit rooms

Walt's Academy Award for "Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs

Walt's miniature train, the Lillybelle

One of the many posters featured in the
exhibit

One of the original Autopia cars from
Disneyland

A Donald Duck children's rocker

A replica of the vehicle Walt drove
while in the American Ambulance Corps (ca. 1919)
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