Q: Prior to the establishment of the Walt Disney Archives in 1970, what did the studio do to preserve the props, artifacts, and Disney-related historical items? Is there any indication that Walt thought about preserving his studio’s history? Thanks!
Kevin, Mount Washington, Kentucky
A: Before the Walt Disney Archives, individual company departments took care of their own history. The legal department, animation department, and Imagineering already had extensive collections, and they have kept them.  Other collections, from such departments as consumer products, music, film production, publicity and public relations, personnel, still photography, corporate administration, Buena Vista distribution, publications, and various departments at Disneyland formed the basis of the Archives.
Dave Smith