The Walt Disney Museum is a gorgeous museum about the life and career of Walt Disney in San Francisco. It is unfortunately closed at the moment but they having been making the most of it with virtual events such as their “Happily Ever After Hours,” which are interviews with artists, actors, filmmakers and more whom are affiliated with Disney in some way. Most recently I have watched a presentation by granddaughter, Haley Clair and daughter Pam Burns-Clair of the legendary imagineer Harriet Burns.
Harriet Burns was the first female imagineer hired in 1955 who started as a set painter for the Mickey Mouse Club prior to joining WED Enterprises in the Model Shop.
Below are some of fun things I learned in the presentation:
- She crafted many of the birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room. Harriet had difficulty finding fabric that would move so it would look like the bird was breathing. Harriet ended up using fabric similar to what was used in cheer-leading uniforms that she saw Walt wearing around the model shop one day.
- Harriet’s Birds in The Enchanted Tiki Room are very durable, in fact the original “Jose” is still used in the chorus of birds!
- Her husband’s nickname was “Bonesy” because of a model skeleton Harriet had to buy during a lunch-break and kept in the backseat of their car.
- There where no women’s restrooms at the model shop. Walt decided to build one just for Harriot but she never got to use it because the office moved to Glendale.
- Harriet has her own window on Main Street in Disneyland which advertises “Handmade Miniatures.” Both Walt and Harriet collected miniatures.
- In the Disneyland attraction “It’s A Small World” Walt wanted all the Hyenas to have fluffy hair and after struggling with their hair Harriet permed all their hair.
- Even after Harriet retired she never spilled the beans on the secrets of Disney’s attractions with her children or grandchildren.
I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to join this virtual presentation. I felt like I really knew Harriet through seeing her amazing talent as well as style (she always sported a beautiful neck scarf) in the pictures and stories her family presented. Be sure to check our The Walt Disney Family Museum’s calendar for future virtual events you can attend!
KStockley06 says
It sounds like a great museum to visit. I literally cannot wait for museums to be open again!
Alexa Brooks says
Me too! I miss them!
Serena says
I definitely miss museum visits, but I’m kinda starting to love the virtual visits. Gives me a general idea and I can add it to my list for an in person visit another day 🙂 This one is definitely making the list
denise says
Living in Chicago we have the best museums to visit – always loved going to them when I was a child. I really like the idea of virtual museums – and after reading your review I am now really intrigued about the Walt Disney one. Thank you
Lyosha Varezhkina says
sounds very much fun. I miss actual museums so much, it is a big joy tot to visit it
Mosaic Designs says
I would love to check this museum out, i love museums…Can’t wait to checking this one out as soon we’re able to travel.
Krysten Quiles says
Oh gosh this sounds like so much fun, I miss museums!
Susan m Quackenbush says
I enjoy learning this Disney history. What a wonderful woman!
Ave says
What a great way to get a museum visit experience even when they are closed. The upcoming Virtual Storytime of Mulan’s Lunar New Year sounds like a lot of fun.
tweenselmom says
Visiting more museums this year is included in my resolutions. I’d love to check this out.
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
It would have been definitely an experience to have attended this virtual talk.