The Walt Disney Hometown Museum

is closed for the Winter season

until March 1, 2025.

 
 
 
 
 
 

WALT DISNEY HOMETOWN MUSEUM

Explore Walt Disney’s Marceline

  • Walt Disney Hometown Museum

  • Disney Family Farm

  • Main Street, USA

  • Walt Disney Post Office

  • Walt Disney Municipal Park

  • Walt Disney Elementary School

  • EP Ripley Park

  • Coke Wall

Disney in Marceline
 

A Brief History of Walt Disney’s Marceline

December 5, 1901: Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, IL.

December 5, 1901: Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, IL.

1906: Elias and Flora Disney move their 5 children (Herbert, Raymond, Roy, Walt & Ruth) to a farm in Marceline.

1906: Elias and Flora Disney move their 5 children (Herbert, Raymond, Roy, Walt & Ruth) to a farm in Marceline.

1906-1911: Walt experiences the magic of many childhood firsts in Marceline.

1906-1911: Walt experiences the magic of many childhood firsts in Marceline.

1906-1911: Walt's Uncle Mike was a Santa Fe Railroad engineer and would often pass through Marceline. This sparked Walt's lifelong love of trains.

1906-1911: Walt's Uncle Mike was a Santa Fe Railroad engineer and would often pass through Marceline. This sparked Walt's lifelong love of trains.

1906: The Disneys became close friends with neighboring farmers, the Taylors. Walt said one of his best pals in Marceline was "Grandpa Taylor."

1906: The Disneys became close friends with neighboring farmers, the Taylors. Walt said one of his best pals in Marceline was "Grandpa Taylor."

1906-1911: Marceline resident Doc Sherwood paid a young Walt 25 cents for a drawing of his horse Rupert.

1906-1911: Marceline resident Doc Sherwood paid a young Walt 25 cents for a drawing of his horse Rupert.

1906-1911: Walt attends a presentation of Peter Pan, which became one of his favorite stories.

1906-1911: Walt attends a presentation of Peter Pan, which became one of his favorite stories.

1911: Elias Disney's health is failing and the Disney farm is sold. The Disney family moves to Kansas City.

1911: Elias Disney's health is failing and the Disney farm is sold. The Disney family moves to Kansas City.

1938: Walt writes an article for the Marceline News.

1938: Walt writes an article for the Marceline News.

1946: Walt Disney returns to film footage for a special project.

1946: Walt Disney returns to film footage for a special project.

1948: So Dear to My Heart is released. Walt said: “So Dear was especially close to me. Why, that’s the life my brother and I grew up with as kids out in Missouri.

1948: So Dear to My Heart is released. Walt said: “So Dear was especially close to me. Why, that’s the life my brother and I grew up with as kids out in Missouri.

1955: Lady and the Tramp is released and its setting and time period is based on Walt's memory of Marceline.

1955: Lady and the Tramp is released and its setting and time period is based on Walt's memory of Marceline.

1955: Disneyland is open to the public.

1955: Disneyland is open to the public.

1955: With the opening of Disneyland is the opening of Main Street USA, a land inspired by Walt's hometown.

1955: With the opening of Disneyland is the opening of Main Street USA, a land inspired by Walt's hometown.

1956: Walt and Roy return to Marceline for the dedication of the Walt Disney Municipal Park and Swimming Pool

1956: Walt and Roy return to Marceline for the dedication of the Walt Disney Municipal Park and Swimming Pool

1956: The Great Locomotive Chase premieres at the Uptown Theatre on Main Street.

1956: The Great Locomotive Chase premieres at the Uptown Theatre on Main Street.

1956: Walt begins buying the Disney farmland and the surrounding acres under his private company, Retlaw. Walt plans to build a living history park known as "The Marceline Project."

1956: Walt begins buying the Disney farmland and the surrounding acres under his private company, Retlaw. Walt plans to build a living history park known as "The Marceline Project."

1960: Walt Disney Elementary School is dedicated with Walt, himself, donating a flag pole from the 1960 Winter Olympics and a Mickey Mouse flag that flew over the Firehouse at Disneyland.

1960: Walt Disney Elementary School is dedicated with Walt, himself, donating a flag pole from the 1960 Winter Olympics and a Mickey Mouse flag that flew over the Firehouse at Disneyland.

1966: Walt Disney donates the Midget Autopia from Disneyland to Marceline. Walt had planned to be in Marceline for the dedication but his health prevented him from doing so. He passed away soon after.

1966: Walt Disney donates the Midget Autopia from Disneyland to Marceline. Walt had planned to be in Marceline for the dedication but his health prevented him from doing so. He passed away soon after.

December 15, 1966: Walt Disney passes away at the age of 65.

December 15, 1966: Walt Disney passes away at the age of 65.

1968: A US postage stamp honoring Walt Disney is issued in Marceline.

1968: A US postage stamp honoring Walt Disney is issued in Marceline.

1993: Walt Disney is inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

1993: Walt Disney is inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

1998: The Spirit of Mickey premieres at the Uptown Theater in Marceline. 18,000 people attended the event including Mickey and Minnie

1998: The Spirit of Mickey premieres at the Uptown Theater in Marceline. 18,000 people attended the event including Mickey and Minnie

2001: As part of Walt's 100th Birthday Celebration, there was a barn raising using blueprints from Walt's Barn at his Carolwood home, which was itself modeled on the barn at the Disney family farm in Marceline.

2001: As part of Walt's 100th Birthday Celebration, there was a barn raising using blueprints from Walt's Barn at his Carolwood home, which was itself modeled on the barn at the Disney family farm in Marceline.

2001: Walt Disney's 100th Birthday Celebration with over 35,000 in attendance.

2001: Walt Disney's 100th Birthday Celebration with over 35,000 in attendance.

2001: The Walt Disney Hometown Museum officially opens as part of Walt Disney's 100th Birthday Celebration.

2001: The Walt Disney Hometown Museum officially opens as part of Walt Disney's 100th Birthday Celebration.

2003: The United States Postal Service renames the Marceline Post Office as the Walt Disney Post Office.

2003: The United States Postal Service renames the Marceline Post Office as the Walt Disney Post Office.

2013: D23, the official Disney Fan Club visits Marceline.

2013: D23, the official Disney Fan Club visits Marceline.

2018: D23 Returns to Marceline for another D23 member event.

2018: D23 Returns to Marceline for another D23 member event.

2022: D23 comes back to Marceline, this time with an all new scavenger hunt throughout the town and a Pollyanna themed party.

2022: D23 comes back to Marceline, this time with an all new scavenger hunt throughout the town and a Pollyanna themed party.

Visit Us

120 E Santa Fe Ave
Marceline, MO 64658

Operating Season Hours
Tues - Sat: 10am - 4pm
Sun: 1pm - 5pm
Mon: Closed

Admission
Adults: $10.00
Children (6-12): $5.00
Children (Under 6): Free

Phone
660-376-3343