Forest Lawn Museum will be debuting “California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton” offering a peek at the personal and creative relationship between Walt Disney and Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks founder Hubert Eaton.
The unexpected pairing highlights the life and legacies of Disney and Eaton who traveled similar paths from Missouri to California, creating their respective legacy empires organizations. They met in the 1930s, forming a lasting relationship and inspiring one another throughout their careers. In 1966, Disney was an honorary pallbearer at Eaton’s funeral. Disney passed away a few months later and is interred, like Eaton, at Forest Lawn-Glendale. “California Visionaries” celebrates their achievements on the 60th anniversary of their passings.
Here’s everything you need to know about California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton at Forest Lawn Museum.
What to Expect
Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton were inspired by the grandeur of medieval castles and cathedrals, and their parks brought the architecture of that period to Southern California audiences. They also shared a love of Americana, with both men honoring icons such as Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln in their attractions and artistic patronage. “California Visionaries” features newly discovered archival photographs, sculptures, illustrations, animatronic figures, and more. Exhibition highlights include a Dumbo ride vehicle and a Matterhorn bobsled, which were previously used at Disneyland. Colorful maps illustrate the parallel development and shared aesthetics of Forest Lawn and Disneyland in the mid-twentieth century.
Despite working in very different industries, they shared similar visions and ambitions. Disney and Eaton corresponded from the 1930s through the 1960s, visited each other’s parks, and served together on the board of Saint Joseph’s Hospital. They also worked with some of the same artists, including Herbert Ryman, an Imagineer who drew the first sketch for Disneyland and the first sketch for Forest Lawn’s colossal painting, The Resurrection.
View sheet music from Walt Disney classics such as It’s a Small World and The Skeleton Dance, as well as the original master score book for Cinderella, featuring hand-written annotations from the film’s creators, courtesy of the Walt Disney Music Legacy Library. The exhibition also features objects on loan from Garner Holt Productions, The Walt Disney Archives, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and private collections, as well as artworks and artifacts from the archives of Forest Lawn Museum.
See it for Yourself
California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton is available at the Forest Lawn Museum from September 19, 2026–February 7, 2027.
The opening reception for both exhibitions will be held on September 19, 2026, from 5:00-7:30 PM. The free event with include live music and remarks from the curators, as well as complimentary drinks, light snacks, and Dole Whip. Guests are invited to RSVP at museum@forestlawn.com, 323-340-4782, or the exhibition webpage.
