The origins of the Hyperion Historical Alliance began in 2007 after author Didier Ghez discussed an idea with Diane Disney Miller, Walt’s daughter and founder of The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
Following Walt’s death in 1966, a small group of independent authors and historians worked to interview and record oral histories with animators, artists, and others who had worked directly with Walt in creating his studio. The passage of time meant that many of the original tapes, transcripts, photos, and other historical material could be lost forever. Didier’s own research had also led him to realize that families and heirs of Walt’s creative team often had preserved artwork, correspondence, and other historically significant material related to Disney history.
In 2009, a group of 20 Disney historians gathered to celebrate the opening of The Walt Disney Family Museum. From that meeting, the group networked to secure the participation of other vetted authors, scholars, researchers, and historians who formed the Hyperion Historical Alliance.
In late 2014, the Hyperion Historical Alliance was officially organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since its official founding, members have helped identify and preserve artwork and paper collections of several important Disney artists. Lost or unpublished autobiographies, journals, and diaries by several prominent artists and Disney executives have also been located and published.
In 2015 the organization’s board created bylaws and other membership rules to solidify HHA’s stature as a professional organization. In addition to defining qualifications for professional membership, HHA also abides by a Code of Ethics that recognizes the importance of members who are vetted and trusted to demonstrate ethical behavior.
HHA’s cooperative relationship with The Walt Disney Company includes an understanding that HHA members will exhibit professional and ethical conduct in the use and dissemination of Disney Intellectual Property, including seeking clearance for any usage of copyrighted material by the organization.
