The Walt Disney Co. is assembling more than 500 artifacts from the company’s history for an exhibit this summer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley. “D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” will feature more than 200 items that have not been seen before by the public. D23 is the official Disney fan club that worked with the Disney archive on the exhibit that opens July 6 and runs through April 2013. Among the items to be shown is the original script for “Steamboat Willie,” the debut film of Mickey Mouse; a recreation of Walt Disney’s office from the Burbank studio lot, including original furnishings and many of his personal items; artwork and models from many Disney animated films; props and costumes from live action films; and busts of all 44 presidents for the Audio-Animatronic figures in The Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The exhibit also takes a look at the friendship and professional collaboration between Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan. “Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney were longtime friends, two optimists who shared an unwavering belief in the essential goodness of the American way of life,” Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger said in a prepared statement. “We’re proud to partner with the Reagan Library and the National Archives to showcase Disney’s rich entertainment legacy.” Mark R. Madler
