Disney and Eaton's Hidden History: A Look at Their Unlikely Partnership

The lives and legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton are being celebrated in a new exhibition at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks. The two men, who met in the 1930s, shared strikingly similar visions and ambitions despite working in different industries.

Both Disney and Eaton drew inspiration from medieval castles and cathedrals, bringing elements of that architectural tradition to Southern California audiences through their respective organizations.

The exhibition, 'California Visionaries,' features newly discovered archival photographs, sculptures, illustrations, animatronic figures, and other historic objects. Highlights include a Dumbo ride vehicle and a Matterhorn bobsled from Disneyland, as well as sheet music from Walt Disney classics like 'It's a Small World' and 'The Skeleton Dance.'

The exhibition was co-curated by James Fishburne, Ph.D., director of Forest Lawn Museum, and Harrison Foreman, who worked at Walt Disney World for over 12 years. They discovered new photos and documents linking the two men during their research and curatorial phases.