Walt Disney hired landscape architect Ruth Shellhorn in March 1955 to coordinate landscape plans between Disney’s office, WED Enterprises, and the crews at the construction site at Disneyland. By the time Disneyland opened on July 17, Shellhorn had created detailed design plans for the front entrance, Town Square, Main Street and the Plaza Hub, as well as a pedestrian plan for the entire park. Extraordinary plantings and installation, supervised by Jack and Bill Evans, helped make Disneyland “the happiest place on earth.”
This presentation and a short documentary film will take place in Walt Disney Hall at the legendary Smoke Tree Ranch. A rare chance to personally experience the beauty and solitude of this very private enclave. Walt was a ‘colonist’, the moniker used by Smoke Tree Ranch residents. As a gift to his fellow colonists, Walt funded the Walt Disney Hall, which sits adjacent to the beautiful pool and the Ranch House, the very center of Smoke Tree life.
Arrive to a beautiful pool setting and enjoy a full bar and delicious hors d’oeuvres created by the Ranch chefs. As twilight falls, guests will be ushered into Disney Hall for the presentation.
Disney Hall at Smoke Tree Ranch, 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Co-sponsored by the California Garden & Landscape History Society (cglhs.org)
Tickets are $125. For more information: https://tickets.modernismweek.com/e/modernism-week