An Amazing Disney Historical Find! - The DIS Discussion Forums

All7OfUs · 07-01-2009, 10:34 PM

Dear All,

Here is a post that I recently put up on my Pre-trippie, but realized that some you diehard Disney history fans might be interested in seeing this too. Enjoy!

During my recent visit to the States, many afternoons were spent going through some of Grandma's things who recently passed away. Both she and Grampa were packrats, and rarely threw anything away. She had trunks that were brought over from France by her parents when they immigrtated, handmade lace items for the next generation to treasure, and un-countable trinkets from every stage of her life.

On a stormy afternoon, sitting on an attic floor in Bowling Green, KY with my mom and aunt, we opened one of the oldest looking trunks. We couldn't believe the priceless hoard of goodies we found including teeth that they had lost as children, crafts they had made as gradeshchoolers, and believe it or not, EVERY loveletter that Granmpa had written her while he was on a gun boat in the South Pacific during the War!!!!!! And before you ask, NO! we did not read them, for he is still with us!

On top of those letters however, was one that immediately caught my eye! It was an envelope that had, of all things, Disney letterhead! What??! What could possibly be inside a yellowing, Disney envelope with a Burbank postmark? As to the historical significance and importance, the dates speak for themselves.

Here is the envelope- untouched for perhaps 50 years!

And a close up of the stamp:

I carefully opened the envelope, fairly trembling at what might be inside. Here is what I found:

Here's a closer shot of the first of the two letters addressed to her.

Apparently, she was being recruited to work at the Studios in wartime productions! We know that before she was married, and for a few years after, Gramma worked at as a hospital administrator, and was very good at what she did. We always teased her for knowing AND REMEMBERING her shorthand!

The second letter surprised us even more!

And a closeup:

As a bonus, here's a shot of the envelope letterhead:

It is certain, that she never took this job, at least not to any of our knowledge. She met and married Grampa only 6 months later. So Disney missed out on a lovely lady whom we will always cherish!

Now, in case you thought I was done sharing Disney treasures with you, we found in the same trunk one more Disney antique I wanted to let you see (soon). Tucked away into the corner of the aging brown, leather trunk was a little brass figurine of a donkey with a pack on. On the front it says "Frontierland"! My aunt picked it up, and with certainty says (with a little tear in her eye), "I remember buying that in 1957 or 1958. You can have it."

I haven't uploaded this one to photobucket yet, but will do so in the next couple of days. It is a real treasure for sure!

You see, my mother's family lived in La Crescenta for over 60 years before moving to the Kentucky area. In fact, they knew many of the Disney animators personally, and my uncle by marriage was an animator who worked on Bambi, I think. However, I need to verify which movie it was. I do know his personal specialty was owls of all things.

So, there you have it. Disney runs deep and thick in my veins! There is no possible way for me to have escaped this passion of mine!

Enjoy!!!

Liesa

brettb · 07-01-2009, 10:50 PM

Thanks for sharing! That's really neat!

You're gramma was quite the cutie, too!

ChevyNat · 07-01-2009, 10:54 PM

Wow, what an incredible find. I just loved reading it, and can't wait to see the picture of the sculpture...

AndyMcV · 07-01-2009, 10:57 PM

In a single word, WOW!!! That is really really neat. What a really great story. You must be in awe after finding all that. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!

KGH · 07-01-2009, 11:05 PM

AND THIS, my friends, is why the disboards are so great. After years of living and breathing disney, sometimes it crosses your mind that you've seen and heard it all... then, you stumble across a random thread that totally blows your mind.

Thanks, OP, for sharing this. What a unique keepsake, and what a wonderful family story.

All7OfUs · 07-01-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettb

Thanks for sharing! That's really neat!

You're gramma was quite the cutie, too!

Indeed she was! Both inside and out

All7OfUs · 07-01-2009, 11:06 PM

Finally got that little donkey uploaded too

Here ya go!

Tweevil · 07-01-2009, 11:10 PM

What a fantastic story. Your Grandma sounds like an awesome lady!

catne · 07-01-2009, 11:10 PM

wonderful stuff - that's just awesome to come across that kind of thing. And it's nice sometimes to have pack-rat relatives - especially if they lived through interesting times & saved things like this.

...you might want to contact Disney about those wartime personnel letters ... could be they might want copies for their archives?

Aww, the little donkey is sweet.

Goofy'sFriend · 07-01-2009, 11:17 PM

Thanks for sharing!

hogwartsdropout · 07-01-2009, 11:24 PM

That is awesome!

MKBekka · 07-01-2009, 11:38 PM

Thanks, Everyone! It was truly an amazing find, and I really should see if Disney might be interested in it for their archives. Just not sure how to go about that....

All7OfUs · 07-01-2009, 11:41 PM

Oops! Just posted that from my daughter's account. Anyone know who to contact or which department??

Macca1111 · 07-02-2009, 12:18 AM

Those are awesome. Thank you so much for sharing!

Dizzyworld · 07-02-2009, 12:30 AM

How fun. What a great treasuer. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

07-01-2009, 10:34 PM	#1
All7OfUs We too are so very NOT into traipsing through the dark when a bucket will do just great What a fun way to meet new folks and say howdy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Salem, OR; formerly from Crapistan- Really!! Posts: 13,089	An Amazing Disney Historical Find! Dear All, Here is a post that I recently put up on my Pre-trippie, but realized that some you diehard Disney history fans might be interested in seeing this too. Enjoy! During my recent visit to the States, many afternoons were spent going through some of Grandma's things who recently passed away. Both she and Grampa were packrats, and rarely threw anything away. She had trunks that were brought over from France by her parents when they immigrtated, handmade lace items for the next generation to treasure, and un-countable trinkets from every stage of her life. On a stormy afternoon, sitting on an attic floor in Bowling Green, KY with my mom and aunt, we opened one of the oldest looking trunks. We couldn't believe the priceless hoard of goodies we found including teeth that they had lost as children, crafts they had made as gradeshchoolers, and believe it or not, EVERY loveletter that Granmpa had written her while he was on a gun boat in the South Pacific during the War!!!!!! And before you ask, NO! we did not read them, for he is still with us! On top of those letters however, was one that immediately caught my eye! It was an envelope that had, of all things, Disney letterhead! What??! What could possibly be inside a yellowing, Disney envelope with a Burbank postmark? As to the historical significance and importance, the dates speak for themselves. Here is the envelope- untouched for perhaps 50 years! And a close up of the stamp: I carefully opened the envelope, fairly trembling at what might be inside. Here is what I found: Here's a closer shot of the first of the two letters addressed to her. Apparently, she was being recruited to work at the Studios in wartime productions! We know that before she was married, and for a few years after, Gramma worked at as a hospital administrator, and was very good at what she did. We always teased her for knowing AND REMEMBERING her shorthand! The second letter surprised us even more! And a closeup: As a bonus, here's a shot of the envelope letterhead: It is certain, that she never took this job, at least not to any of our knowledge. She met and married Grampa only 6 months later. So Disney missed out on a lovely lady whom we will always cherish! Now, in case you thought I was done sharing Disney treasures with you, we found in the same trunk one more Disney antique I wanted to let you see (soon). Tucked away into the corner of the aging brown, leather trunk was a little brass figurine of a donkey with a pack on. On the front it says "Frontierland"! My aunt picked it up, and with certainty says (with a little tear in her eye), "I remember buying that in 1957 or 1958. You can have it." I haven't uploaded this one to photobucket yet, but will do so in the next couple of days. It is a real treasure for sure! You see, my mother's family lived in La Crescenta for over 60 years before moving to the Kentucky area. In fact, they knew many of the Disney animators personally, and my uncle by marriage was an animator who worked on Bambi, I think. However, I need to verify which movie it was. I do know his personal specialty was owls of all things. So, there you have it. Disney runs deep and thick in my veins! There is no possible way for me to have escaped this passion of mine! Enjoy!!! Liesa __________________

07-01-2009, 10:50 PM	#2
brettb Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Near Princeton, NJ Posts: 354	Thanks for sharing! That's really neat! You're gramma was quite the cutie, too! __________________ 8/13 AKL (30%) 6/12 Disneyland Hotel 8-9/'11 AKL (Free dining!) 8/10 Polynesian (40% PIN) 7/09 AKL (7-for-4 + AP discount) 8/08 AKL (Free dining!) & 5/08 Coronado Springs Resort 12/07 Animal Kingdom Lodge 9-10/06 Pop Century (Free dining!) 10/05 Wilderness Lodge (Free dining!) 12/04 Grand Floridian & 6/04 Polynesian 8/03 Contemporary for 15 minutes, Grand Floridian for the rest of the trip 10/02 Polynesian 1976-96 Contemporary, Village Resort, All-Star Sports, Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Off-property

07-01-2009, 10:54 PM	#3
ChevyNat DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rouyn-Noranda, Qc, Canada Posts: 904	Wow, what an incredible find. I just loved reading it, and can't wait to see the picture of the sculpture... __________________ 2003- DisneyWorld, off-site / 2004 - DisneyWorld, OKW/ 2005 - Disneyland, off-site / 2006 - Jan 30th Coronado Spring 2007 - OKW/SSR / 2008 - OKW / 2009-OKW/ 2010 vacation home trip report/4 gals and a boy 2008

07-01-2009, 10:57 PM	#4
AndyMcV DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,163	In a single word, WOW!!! That is really really neat. What a really great story. You must be in awe after finding all that. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!! __________________ 03/2010 - Disney's Beach Club!!! 06/2008 - WDW Dolphin 06/2005 - WDW Dolphin CL 06/2003 - WDW Swan CL 11/2000 - Disney's Contemporary Resort

07-01-2009, 11:05 PM	#5
KGH Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 498	AND THIS, my friends, is why the disboards are so great. After years of living and breathing disney, sometimes it crosses your mind that you've seen and heard it all... then, you stumble across a random thread that totally blows your mind. Thanks, OP, for sharing this. What a unique keepsake, and what a wonderful family story. __________________ Nov. 2001 Port Orleans- French Quarter /// May 2005- Grovesner May 2006- Royal Plaza /// Oct. 2007- Saratoga Springs Dec. 2007- Coronado Springs /// Oct. 2008- POP Century Next: DEC 2009 POFQ!!! FREE DINING! [img]http://www.********************/timers/tickers/iz6moeteajjmr7wk.png[/img]

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

07-01-2009, 11:06 PM	#7
All7OfUs We too are so very NOT into traipsing through the dark when a bucket will do just great What a fun way to meet new folks and say howdy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Salem, OR; formerly from Crapistan- Really!! Posts: 13,089	Finally got that little donkey uploaded too Here ya go! __________________

07-01-2009, 11:10 PM	#8
Tweevil Twin Evils.... Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,055	What a fantastic story. Your Grandma sounds like an awesome lady! __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with catsup

07-01-2009, 11:10 PM	#9
catne DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nebraska Posts: 8,183	wonderful stuff - that's just awesome to come across that kind of thing. And it's nice sometimes to have pack-rat relatives - especially if they lived through interesting times & saved things like this. ...you might want to contact Disney about those wartime personnel letters ... could be they might want copies for their archives? Aww, the little donkey is sweet. __________________ Cathy from Nebraska March 2013 AoA Feb 2013 POFQ Feb 2013 POFQ Jan 2013 Caribbean Beach Nov 2012 POFQ Sept 2012 BC May 2012 POFQ Mar 2012 POFQ Feb 2012 POFQ JAN 2012 AKL Oct 2011 Wilderness Lodge Sep/2011 POFQ Feb/2011 Pop Century Jan/2011 Pop CenturyNov/2010 CSR Sept/2010 Boardwalk May/2010 POFQ Jan/2010 BCV 2009/Sept & 2009/May POFQ 2009/Jan Contempo 2008/Sept...Pop .2008/May...POFQ 2007/May...Poly 2000/May...FW Cabin 1992/May & 1990/May...off site

07-01-2009, 11:17 PM	#10
Goofy'sFriend "Gawrsh" Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 631	Thanks for sharing!

07-01-2009, 11:24 PM	#11
hogwartsdropout ~WDW CM 2008-2009~DLRP CM DEC 09~DCL CM 2010~ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: England Posts: 3,350	That is awesome! __________________

07-01-2009, 11:38 PM	#12
MKBekka Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 289	Thanks, Everyone! It was truly an amazing find, and I really should see if Disney might be interested in it for their archives. Just not sure how to go about that....

07-01-2009, 11:41 PM	#13
All7OfUs We too are so very NOT into traipsing through the dark when a bucket will do just great What a fun way to meet new folks and say howdy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Salem, OR; formerly from Crapistan- Really!! Posts: 13,089	Oops! Just posted that from my daughter's account. Anyone know who to contact or which department?? __________________

07-02-2009, 12:18 AM	#14
Macca1111 I wish I were at WDW! I'm good at the graceful stuff Why would you put Ivy in the title if it's never going to come up again? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,902	Those are awesome. Thank you so much for sharing! __________________

07-02-2009, 12:30 AM	#15
Dizzyworld DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Towson, MD---930 miles too far from my happy place! Posts: 3,001	How fun. What a great treasuer. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Poly - 1/85, 6/02, 8/07, 8/08, 10/09 (Food & Wine Festival & MNSSHP), 8/10 ~~~ BC - 8/00, 7/09 ~~~ YC - 8/03 ~~~ WL - 12/02 ~~~ AKL - 8/04, 12/04 ~~~ Contemporary - 8/08 ~~~ Swan - 12/05, 8/06 ~~~ POFQ - 8/07 ~~~ Off-Site - 3/89 DCL Magic - 8/01 (Eastern), 8/04 (Eastern), 8/06 (Western- Double Dip), 7/09 (Eastern - Tortola) DCL Wonder - 6/02, 8/07, 8/08 (Double Dip) DCL Dream - B2B - 7/11 & 8/11, 3/13, 12/13 DCL Fantasy - 6/12 (Western)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ABC's of Disney Part Dos	MountNittany	Games	710	09-06-2010 06:10 PM
Tips for Disney with a 1 year old--no wet blankets please!	harleyquinn	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	164	02-08-2010 03:27 PM
Disney Secrets	wickedsmith259	Disney World Tips	18	07-05-2009 09:51 PM
OT - Playhouse Disney - Little Einstien	teachallday	Disney for Families	18	07-04-2009 12:38 PM
What to do during (very long) road trip to Disney?	serendipity	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	29	07-01-2009 11:50 PM