Mickey’s 75 InspEARations statue FOUND, at least one of them!

[lildivaaa]

Hey all at WDWMagic!!

What ever happened to those 75 Mickey Mouse statues that were outside The Magic Kingdom and that went on tour to celebrate Mickey’s 75th anniversary a few years ago???

Well, here is a story about one of them!

Not to long ago, I got a job here at The Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, GA. It’s a wonderful place to work…a city within itself, very self contained (reminds me alot of The Magic Kingdom!). On the first floor level, beyond all the security and such, The Home Depot has it’s own museum to it’s self…basically giving everyone highlights of the history of The Home Depot as it’s grown over the years and decades.

Being a HUGH WDW fan, I couldn’t help but notice as I walked towards the museum…..who was there to greet me? None other that Mickey Mouse himself!!! Right at the entrance of the museum!

Turns out this is 1 of the original 75 Mickey Mouse statues, during “Mickey’s 75 InspEARations”! After the original 75 statues had their stay at The Magic Kingdom, then went on tour around the country…they finally went up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York on September 27th, 2005. The proceeds of the auction for this particular statue went to The Homer Fund, a charity organized by The Home Depot that provides short-term financial assistance to The Home Depot associates who encounter hardship due to catastrophic circumstances beyond their control.

Any case, a representative from The Home Depot went to that auction, bid on and won The Home Depot version Mickey statue, entitled “You Can Do It”. It now resides here, at the corporate offices as a greeter for the museum.

I have attached pictures of the statue and its surroundings.

I just thought everyone would like to know the answer to…..”whatever happened to those statues?”

Thanks,

“lildivaaa”

 

[jedimaster1227]

Quite an interesting find! :sohappy:

 

[Baums101]

Oh now I see it. Awesome wood finish.

 

[WDWFigment]

That's pretty cool. I think this is the first I've ever seen of those statues, though.

Also, why does Home Depot have a museum? (I understand it's their CO, but still).

 

[Vernonpush]

How inspEARational!

 

[Hummer1676]

These statues were auctioned off for charity.

 

[mickeysaver]

OMG, right in my backyard and I had no idea!!!! Thanks for sharing this.

I must figure out a way to get there to see this Mickey again. I loved the statues when they were at WDW. I was able to see the Janet Jackson one before it was removed from rotation due to nipplegate. I was lucky enough to have seen the Mickey's that came through Atlanta. I even won a small resin replica of the Suddath Vanlines Moving Man Mickey statue, which I understand were made mostly for executives at Suddath and Disney, but during the tour they did give a few away......like in Atlanta, they gave away two. I can tell you that I of all the people that could have won one of those Mickey statues, that we are the perfect keepers for him and will guard his safety for years to come. Maggie

 

[metscool]

Thats cool. Thats the first time that I've seen them. I was unable to see them when they were at MK and they never came around here I think

 

[Epcot82Guy]

OMG, right in my backyard and I had no idea!!!! Thanks for sharing this.

My thoughts exactly (although it's only been my backyard for 3 months). Interesting tidbit. Thanks!

 

[MickeyJman06]

Hey all at WDWMagic!!

What ever happened to those 75 Mickey Mouse statues that were outside The Magic Kingdom and that went on tour to celebrate Mickey’s 75th anniversary a few years ago???

Well, here is a story about one of them!

Not to long ago, I got a job here at The Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, GA. It’s a wonderful place to work…a city within itself, very self contained (reminds me alot of The Magic Kingdom!). On the first floor level, beyond all the security and such, The Home Depot has it’s own museum to it’s self…basically giving everyone highlights of the history of The Home Depot as it’s grown over the years and decades.

Being a HUGH WDW fan, I couldn’t help but notice as I walked towards the museum…..who was there to greet me? None other that Mickey Mouse himself!!! Right at the entrance of the museum!

Turns out this is 1 of the original 75 Mickey Mouse statues, during “Mickey’s 75 InspEARations”! After the original 75 statues had their stay at The Magic Kingdom, then went on tour around the country…they finally went up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York on September 27th, 2005. The proceeds of the auction for this particular statue went to The Homer Fund, a charity organized by The Home Depot that provides short-term financial assistance to The Home Depot associates who encounter hardship due to catastrophic circumstances beyond their control.

Any case, a representative from The Home Depot went to that auction, bid on and won The Home Depot version Mickey statue, entitled “You Can Do It”. It now resides here, at the corporate offices as a greeter for the museum.

I have attached pictures of the statue and its surroundings.

I just thought everyone would like to know the answer to…..”whatever happened to those statues?”

Thanks,

“lildivaaa”

home depot made that mickey and mickey was done celebraing 75 and was read to move on to 76

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Great find!

Anybody know where the Red Sox one went?

 

[Nemo14]

Just a couple of pics from when they were at MK:

 

[cb3k]

I never recall those there....Does anyone else have anymore detailed pics of the mickeys, maybe some of the really unusual ones? And if there really were a redsox one that would be great to see...Thanks, and good find.

 

[lildivaaa]

I'm glad that you all like the find! I really like it myself. It's kind of like....if I'm having a bad day at work, all I have to do is take a break...an elevator ride downstairs...take a short walk, and there's Mickey!! Ahhhhh! :sohappy:

Oh, by the way...here is a picture of "The Home Depot" version Mickey when he was at The Magic Kingdom. I found the picture at http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/75mickeys.htm

Check this site out for pictures of all the rest of the other versions of Mickey!

 

[lildivaaa]

I never recall those there....Does anyone else have anymore detailed pics of the mickeys, maybe some of the really unusual ones? And if there really were a redsox one that would be great to see...Thanks, and good find.

And Yes...CB3K, there definatly WAS a Boston Red Sox version, sponcered by Ben Affleck. You'll find him at http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/75mickeys.htm

 

[goofyfan13]

The Detroit Tigers one is at Comerica Park by the food court. I'll try and remember my camera for when I go to a game on the 10th.

 

[ann0d1]

Here is a site I found about more of them_
http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/75mickeys.htm

 

[cymbaldiva]

That is too cool - didn't know we had a Mickey for the Depot! :sohappy:

 

[scottnj1966]

I enjoyed taking the pics of all 78 mickey's.
We found the last one at Disney itself in the warehouse area.
We only had a cell phone camera but at least we got a pic. Will get a better one next time.

http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/75mickeys.htm

Thanks everyone for showing off my InspEARations site.

 

[TheBeatles]

The Detroit Tigers one is at Comerica Park by the food court. I'll try and remember my camera for when I go to a game on the 10th.

I was just about to say this...