'Behind The Magic: 50 Years Of Disneyland' At The Henry Ford

DEARBORN, MICH.

:The Henry Ford Museum is collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering to create an exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, Disney's original theme park, titled "Behind the Magic - 50 Years of Disneyland." This exhibit debuts at The Henry Ford Museum on September 23. "Behind the Magic" is the first exhibition of Walt Disney Imagineering art and artifacts focused on Disneyland to be widely displayed in the United States. Included in the 7,500-square-foot display are 250 pieces of original Imagineering artwork, handcrafted models, construction drawings and marketing materials tracing the growth and history of the California landmark.

The original rendering of Disneyland by Herb Ryman will be publicly displayed; the art was developed to showcase Disney's concept to bankers. Visitors will have the special opportunity to view, and in some cases, interact with, more than 40, three-dimensional artifacts, among them figures from "It's a Small World," unique original arcade games from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction and the Model T-like vehicle used in "Mr Toad's Wild Ride."

There will be the chance to view the Abraham Lincoln figure created for the 1964 World's Fair in New York City up close - the first Audio-Animatronics® "human" to appear in a Walt Disney production. The Lincoln figure amazed audiences when he stood up and spoke, launching Disney's commitment to storytelling technology that continues to evolve throughout the world today. Lincoln debuted in the Illinois pavilion at the fair and will be emerging from preservation for the first time.

"We are thrilled to have been granted access to Walt Disney Imagineering's amazing collections," said Steve Hamp, president of The Henry Ford.

According to experience design director Scott Mallwitz, The Henry Ford was chosen to organize this exhibit for several reasons including its influence on the early development of Disney's first theme park.

"The connection can be traced back to Walt Disney himself and his first visit to our Greenfield Village in 1940," explained Mallwitz. "Walt was so taken with Henry Ford's vision of an idealized American village that he returned eight years later. These trips and visits to other destinations and events across the country helped him frame the concept of what would late become Disneyland."

In the early 1950s, after Disney had assembled a design and engineering team to finally move the Disneyland project forward, he sent a representative to Dearborn to gather data regarding personnel as well as the comments and interests of visitors. As author Michael Broggie notes in his book, Walt Disney's Railroad Story, "While Walt Disney admired many of America's great historical figures, he particularly revered Henry Ford [who unknowingly] played a significant role in helping Walt visualize his revolutionary concept for a multithemed amusement park."

It took construction crews just 12 months and one day to realize most of Walt Disney's dream, including a 5/8-scale railroad encircling the park. On July 17, 1952, attractions were completed and the gates opened to visitors. Within seven weeks, attendance surpassed one million. In 2004, Disneyland's 500 millionth guest arrived.

For information, 313-982-6001 or thehenryford.org.