Walt Disney’s Formal Office March 2024

Historian and friend of mine Jim Fanning and I at Walt’s Desk (photo credit: Archivist Mike Buckhoff).

Here is a photo from D23 of Mike Buckhoff, our wonderful host and tour guide at the Walt Disney Archives. He is a master of the Photo Library and knowledge of all things Walt Disney. His father worked at Disney also for many years.

Walt’s formal desk with items restored exactly as he left them the day he died December 15, 1966. 

The model plane is a Grumman Gulfstream.

Many pieces of art represented here are reproductions such as the portraits on the walls, but this is exactly how things looked according to the tedious detailed notes of Dave Smith, founder of the Walt Disney Archives and first Chief Archivist. This includes the paper clips on the desk in the box and the pencils.

The photos are of Walt’s two daughters Diane and Sharon. The drawn portraits are reproductions of actual portraits of his daughters by Norman Rockwell. He also had several pairs of their baby shoes bronzed for display. The baby photo is of Walt’s Grandson Christopher Miller (son of Diane).

Toys and collectibles from around the world were a fun hobby of Walt’s and it’s fun for me to realize that I have a similar interest in the little figurines and toys. My home is covered in little characters I have collected similar to Walt’s own collection here in his offices.

Walt loved the Lady character from Lady and the Tramp (1955). He had several sculpts of her around the offices. 

The phone here in this photo was one of the actual phones Walt used. Walt also sat in this very chair.

Of note are the two stuffed animals of The Dormouse from Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Rabbit from Winnie The Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966).

Walt often liked to have photos autographed for fans ready to go here on his desk to sign. The fan card of Walt’s face here on the desk is a recreation of one of those he typically used. Next to the fan card is a cigarette ashtray complete with Mickey Mouse on the front of his Walt Disney productions matches.

I have adored the little glass figures that are on the shelf the back behind his desk for years from videos and photos I’ve seen of them. It was remarkable to see them in person, especially the little Tinker Bell. You can also see a Donald, Pluto, Mickey, and a horse drawn carriage.

“GREENLAND CRUISERS USCGC “WIND’ CLASS ICEBREAKERS”

This award bell was a gift to Walt for his film Men Against the Arctic (1955). He loved it and he ultimately used as a lunch bell that his secretary could ring loudly for him.

A Coast Guard “Oscar” presented to Walt Disney for distinctive achievement “Men Against the Arctic”, Vice Admiral AC Richmond, commandant US Coast Guard, Washington D.C.

Books on Walt’s desk, “Stan Musial as told to Bob Broeg”, mystery (to me) books, and “The Eighteenth Century Houses of Williamsburg”.

Walt’s paper clips and matches

Walt’s piano famously played by The Sherman Brothers on many occasions.

Sheet music for “Strummin’ Song” written by the Sherman Brothers and sung by Annette Funicello for The Horsemasters (1961). Photo of Diane Disney Miller.

Sheet music for “A Blue Poke Bonnet and a Stove Pipe Hat” and also“Babes in Toyland” by Victor Herbert. More photos of Walt’s daughters.

Mousecar award on the piano.

Mechanical birdcage from New Orleans that helped inspire Audio Animatronics and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The cage is still operational and is played on occasion by the Archives staff.

Walt collected these Japanese Kabuki figures. I believe one or two of them have been smashed over the years. They are very fragile. The bowl is an award.

Several of these figures got damaged in an earthquake. They were painstakingly repaired. They looked fantastic. Abraham Lincoln was a natural favorite of Walt’s as many people know.

Many of these books are signed by their authors and were mainly gifts to Walt through the years. There are a lot of fascinating names to spot. How many do you see?

I love the Arizona Highways encyclopedia there on the bottom with the brown spine.

Photos of Walt’s daughters.

More Lady. How many can you see?

Many people wonder what this dog is. The archives sadly doesn’t know the story behind it. One of the many mysteries of Walt Disney that are still being uncovered. I hope one day to help discover it.

I loved seeing another book here about Arizona. To me, it was like a little wink to me from Walt. I assume these are scripts that he had on hand above the books in the trays. I love the photo of Walt and the dog. I will investigate and try to discover the story behind it.

Next post… Walt’s working office! Stay tuned.