The restoration and preservation of Walt and his brother Roy’s birthplace and home will be getting underway later this week at 2156 North Tripp Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. Homeowners Brent Young and Dina Benadon from Super 78 are beginning the year-long meticulous process of restoring the home to its 1901 state, when Walt was born.
Young and Benadon, who have been in the theme park industry for over 20 years, credit the Disney family for inspiring their careers. They purchased the birthplace of Walt and Roy as a way to give back and protect the site where the Disneys were nurtured as boys, leading them to become pioneering giants of family entertainment.
The home was built in 1893 by Walt and Roy’s father Elias, and designed by their mother, Flora. Elias Disney built two other homes on the same block as well as the St. Paul Congregational Church.
In order to finance the project, a Kickstarter campaign will be launched. Donors can receive unique mementos, such as shingles from the house encased in glass.
A press conference is scheduled for Thursday. InPark will provide coverage from the event and interviews with Young and Benadon.