On November 17th, I had the pleasure of attending a public yet very low key presentation on the proposed Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco. The event was held in the actual historic military building that the Walt Disney Family Foundation plans on renovating. Ron Miller and Diane Disney Miller were there to represent the WD Family Foundation.
The “Open House” for the space began at 5:30 p.m. We were able to walk through one side of the lower floor of the building. It is completely stripped to its structural beams and 100 year old brick walls. At 6 p.m., the director of the Presidio began the presentation by explaining the history and context of the site and the area’s redevelopment plan. The Museum building is just a stones throw from the new George Lucas Digital Campus. He then invited Diane to the podium.
started out by stating that this project was by the family foundation set up by Walt and Lillian’s trust and was not a part of the Walt Disney Company. She then talked about “Why San Francisco…?” She said that she scouted locations important to Walt’s life including Chicago and Kansas City, but neither cities were interested. She also looked into a Burbank location.
She said she wanted a historic structure that could be rehabilitated and modernized rather than a new building since her father loved both the past and the technological breakthroughs of the near future. The family has been renting space in the Presidio for several years to house their collection of artifacts including awards and papers. Also the Millers spend most of their time in the Bay area with an apartment in San Francisco and their Winery in Napa. They felt the Presidio captured Walt’s love for country and his history with the military (i.e. joining the Red Cross to go to WWI and his admiration for General Pershing) and also it was a groundbreaking opportunity, the opening of a historic and natural space within a metropolitan city to restore and modernize.
Next, the architects of the projects presented small film clips and computer animations of the museum experience and how you would move from one era of Walt’s life to another. There would also be a space for an animation exhibit and a rotating exhibit space. The architects also showed plans of the layout including additions to the structure. After this the floor was opened to questions which there were none of since all the speakers covered all aspects. Diane then invited everyone for coffee and cookies and more intimate conversation.
Believe it or not, I overheard a few folks mumbling about the museum coming to San Francisco. There are many uninformed liberals in the Bay Area who think Walt was a Nazi Supporting, Racist, anti-Semite Republican and for those reasons a museum to him in the presidio would be a tragedy. Also many didn’t understand that this was the family foundation not the Walt Disney Co. I’m sure they were afraid another DCA or Disney Store was going to taint a National Park!
The presentation cleared up most of those misconceptions! I don’t know how these people can think Walt wasn’t patriotic… Every day is like the 4th of July at Disneyland with bunting and Flags and Lincoln, and Yankee Doodle Dandy playing on the Main street loop… I forgot to mention that the museum is going to be completely free. Diane said that they will not charge admission and that she hopes school children will come to learn about Walt.
I had an amazing conversation with Diane and have to honestly tell you I was intimidated by Ron. He still has a tall and broad football player build! He wasn’t very friendly, and honestly didn’t seem comfortable around strangers but Diane’s warmth made up for it. She looks a lot like Lilly and talks with Walt’s spark and enthusiasm! She is a terrific lady and I wish the project much success.
Here is an official Presidio release on the meeting and the Museum Plan:
Building 104, one of the five 19th century Montgomery Street Barracks that define the western edge of the Presidio’s Main Parade Ground, is proposed for renovation and leasing by the Walt Disney Family Foundation. The Foundation plans to develop a museum honoring the life and achievements of Walt Disney, one of the 20th century’s most influential figures.
On November 17, 2004, the public gathered in the building for an open house and preview of the Foundation’s plans for the building. Speakers included Diane Miller, Walt Disney’s daughter. The public had a chance to ask questions of the project team. The Trust is accepting written comments and questions on the scope of the proposed project, its potential effects on historic resources, and other pertinent environmental issues.
With their imposing size, symmetrical form, and restrained architectural detailing, the 44,000 square foot Barracks form one of the Presidio’s most impressive architectural groupings, and they have become icons for the historic post. The Barracks were built between 1895 and 1897 as the Indian Wars were coming to an end. No longer needing the extensive network of frontier posts it had established to defend the west, the Army began to concentrate its troops at larger, more urban posts, such as the Presidio. The Montgomery Street Barracks were built to accommodate this influx of troops, and were used as barracks throughout much of the 20th century, housing the 30th Infantry, the regiment known as “San Francisco’s own.”
When the Army inactivated the Presidio in 1994, only Building 101 was still functioning as a barracks; Buildings 102 through 105 had been converted to office space.
Among the first brick buildings constructed by the Army in the west, these stately buildings were designed to give the Presidio a sense of grandeur and permanence. The building’s hip roofs, overhanging eaves, and symmetrical dormers give the buildings an imposing presence. Each building is bisected from front to rear by a brick fire wall that is visible on the roof; the wall also separated the two companies that lived in each barracks. The exteriors of these buildings have not changed significantly throughout the 20th century.
The Walt Disney Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been a tenant at the Presidio since 2001. The Foundation proposes to rehabilitate the building for use as a museum and research center, providing a permanent source of information on Disney, his accomplishments, and the period of American history that he greatly influenced. The museum would include a permanent exhibit on the life of Walt Disney, a traveling exhibit space, a learning center, and an archive, as well as foundation and museum offices.
An infill addition covering the building’s courtyard is proposed to connect the halves of the Barracks, facilitating better circulation through the building.
“The Walt Disney Family Foundation has an extensive collection of drawings, photographs, letters, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of Walt Disney’s amazing life,” said Trust project manager Cynthia East Skovlin. “The collection of objects and the impressive archive of digital images, films, and interviews tell the story of Walt Disney’s life as it closely weaves through and mirrors many of the most important stories of 20th century America.”
“The Montgomery Street Barracks are among the Presidio’s most important architectural and historic treasures,” said Trust executive director Craig Middleton. “The extensive amount of work needed to adapt these buildings for new uses and to bring them up to current code requirements such as ADA and seismic calls for a tenant with great dedication to such an important project. We are very excited about the Walt Disney Family Foundation’s proposal which will assure its long-term viability for another century of service. Also, the unique historic and cultural elements of the museum’s collection make it a perfect addition to the park.”
The Foundation plans to sponsor events, and to create publications and exhibits that will keep Disney’s innovative spirit alive through the 21st century.
A reading room, gift shop, and café are also proposed for the new museum.
Work on the museum cannot begin until environmental review and historic compliance reviews are completed. If all goes according to schedule, construction could be completed within two years.