The inspiration of and appreciation for Walt Disney knows no boundaries. The membership at The Walt Disney Family Museum certainly reflects this diversity. Each month, we introduce you to one of our members, so you can see the varied and frequently fascinating people, who have come together to learn and experience more about the life, work, philosophies, and ideals of Walt Disney. This month, we’d like you to meet two members in Walt's Circle: Linda and Dave Paulson!
Walt Disney’s first home at Smoke Tree Ranch." />Like Walt Disney, both of Linda and Dave were born in Illinois. To this day, they continue to hold on to and greatly appreciate the many traditional and conservative Midwestern values that they learned growing up there. Linda and Dave were married in 1970 and celebrated their 44th anniversary this past June. After graduating from Northwestern University, they both did graduate work at Boston University. Dave got his law degree in 1972, and Linda obtained her Masters degree in Education in 1973 before moving to California in 1973—the first 20 years in Napa and the last 21 years living in rural Solano County.
In their own words:
Linda: I grew up in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. After college, I taught US History and English in grades 7-12 in both Massachusetts and California. I retired after 21 years of teaching in June 2009. I still love working with children and miss being in the classroom, but I don’t miss all the other “teacher stuff.” Since 2010 I have been active in PAWS for Healing and PAWS for Reading. Cooper, our Coton de Tulear, is a certified therapy dog and goes to the library with me every Wednesday afternoon for children to read to him. This weekly reading activity is a special time for Cooper, the children, and me, too.
Dave: I grew up in a small town in northern Illinois with a population of about 900. After finishing law school and passing the Massachusetts bar exam, I spent a little over 3 years on active duty as a lawyer in the US Navy at Mare Island. I stayed in the Naval Reserve and retired in 2001 after 30 years of service at the grade of Captain (O-6). I passed the California bar exam in 1974. After leaving active duty, I spent a short time in a small law firm before joining the Solano County District Attorney’s Office in 1977. I was a deputy for six years and the Chief Deputy for ten years. Then, for 18 years, from 1993 until my retirement in December 2010, I served as the 26th elected District Attorney of Solano County.
We have two grown children. Our son and daughter-in-law live in San Francisco. Both of them are attorneys. He practices corporate law, and she works for an attorney placement firm. They are expecting their first child in September. Our daughter lives and works in Sweden. She is the Alumni Coordinator for Lund University. While an undergrad at UCLA, she did an internship with Disney Consumer Products. She had a fantastic experience, and we learned a lot about Disney’s very successful merchandising and marketing practices, too!
Why did you become a member of The Walt Disney Family Museum?
After Linda’s retirement, and leading up to Dave’s retirement, we began looking for some new adventures as well as ways to meet people with interests similar to ours. When we learned about the planned opening of the WDFM, Linda joined as a founding member. Dave also joined as a senior member, and together we have come to the museum at least once each month and attended almost every presentation and talk since its opening. We were glad to upgrade our memberships in January and become the first donors in Walt’s Circle. We love the WDFM and plan to continue our support.
What do you find the most enjoyable about your membership?
Of course, we love visiting the museum, viewing the exhibits, and attending the talks. However, the best thing about WDFM membership is the people: those who work and volunteer at the museum and other members and guests who, like us, have a passion for Disney history and the man behind it all. Every month, we look forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, chatting with museum staff, and sharing stories with other visitors.
What do you enjoy most about our museum?
Our favorite thing about the WDFM is that, like Disneyland, it is always changing and plussing…offering new and interesting exhibits in the galleries, one-of-a-kind, never-before-seen, and unique behind-the-scenes presentations and talks, and beautiful works of art along with fascinating insight into the artists in the special exhibitions. We particularly enjoyed the Tyrus Wong exhibit and the special opportunity to meet and chat with him. It has also been a thrill to meet numerous Disney legends as well as current Disney and Pixar artists. There is always something new at the museum…something we have not seen nor heard before…something to talk about, do further research on, or just share with friends.
How does Walt Disney inspire you?
Childhood in the early 1950s was an important part of who and what we became as adults. Coincidentally, both of our parents bought their first black and white televisions in 1954, and we vividly recall watching Walt promote what would become Disneyland. There was a real intimacy in Walt’s presentations, like he was talking directly to us. His values and his commitment to honor the past as we moved ahead into the future were clear. That lesson, communicating honestly and directly with others and being committed to strong family values, was not lost on either of us. As we have learned more and more about Walt Disney, the innovator, the father, the man, we have become even more inspired by his perseverance, integrity, and his ability to maintain a “can do” spirit even in the face of adversity.
What was your first Disney inspiration or memory?
Linda: I have fond memories of belonging to the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s. I have my original membership card, just like the one in the museum display, and all of the club magazines and annuals. I recall hurrying home from school to watch the Mouseketeers, and I especially loved “Spin and Marty” and “White Shadow.” I always wanted to be a Mouseketeer, but I realized that just was never going to happen. I couldn’t sing or dance, and I lived in Chicago. I still remember many of the songs, but please don’t ask me to sing. My favorite was Jiminy Cricket’s “I’m no fool…let’s play safe for you and me,” and if asked to spell encyclopedia, I have to sing it “e-n-c-y-c-l-o-p-e-d-i-a.” My first visit to Disneyland was in 1971, but it had become a very special place for my parents after they moved to Southern California in 1969. My dad faced some serious health issues, and, as he battled cancer, Mom and he would escape to Disneyland and leave their burdens behind them for a few carefree hours. His favorite attraction was the Enchanted Tiki Room. He passed away in 1972, and the Tiki Room is always a must stop for us on every visit to the park.
Dave: I was also a childhood Disney fan. I really loved Davy Crocket! I still have my original fringed jacket and pants, flintlock rifle, and coonskin cap featuring a “mint condition” cardboard circle with a photo of Fess Parker on the front. Many years ago, I met Fess Parker during a state district attorney conference at his hotel in Santa Barbara. The magic was definitely still there! I think my favorite Disney movie is “Peter Pan,” and I especially like Captain Hook…perhaps because I played the role of Hook in summer music theater while in college. I remember the songs and most of the lines. I first visited Disneyland in the summer of 1961, and I still have a quill pen from the Bank of America and an empty vitamin bottle from the Upjohn pharmacy, both of which used to be on Main Street. I also have all of the annual Disneyland guidebooks from 1955 through 1971.
Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
Since our retirement, we have become increasingly avid Disney fans—founding membership at the WDFM, charter membership in D23, annual passholders at Disneyland, and members of the Carolwood Historical Society. More importantly, however, The Walt Disney Family Museum, D23, and Carolwood have all given us the opportunity to meet new friends and share wonderful times with them. We look forward to many more years of sharing our love of all things Disney—especially learning more about Walt, the people who worked with him, the behind-the-scenes activities at the Studios and in the park, and honoring the classic family entertainment that he created. We will be first-time grandparents in September and look forward to sharing our Disney passion with our future grandson. We can’t wait to be there with him on his first visit to Disneyland!
For more information on membership at The Walt Disney Family Museum, or to join today, please visit our membership page!