The origins of the Hyperion Historical Alliance date back to 2007, when author Didier Ghez shared an idea with Diane Disney Miller, Walt Disney’s oldest daughter and founder of The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

​

Following Walt Disney’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 directly collaborated with Walt in building his studio. The passage of time meant that many of the original tapes, transcripts, photos, and other historical materials could be lost forever. Didier’s research also revealed that the families and heirs of Walt’s creative team often had preserved artwork, correspondence, and other historically significant materials related to Disney history.

​

In 2009, a group of 20 Disney historians gathered to celebrate the opening of The Walt Disney Family Museum. Following that meeting, the group connected to enlist 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 established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since its founding, members have worked to identify and preserve artwork and paper collections from several important Disney artists. Lost or unpublished autobiographies, journals, and diaries by prominent artists and Disney executives have also been discovered and published

​

In 2015, the organization’s board established bylaws and other membership rules to solidify HHA’s stature as a professional entity. In addition to defining the qualifications for professional membership, HHA also adheres to a Code of Ethics that acknowledges 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.