About Us (Friends of Danada – History Committee)
Formation of Friends of Danada: After Dan Rice’s death in 1975 and Ada Rice’s in 1977, their 1,350-acre Danada estate in Wheaton, Illinois was left without a will and put up for sale. When developers eyed the land, local residents mobilized under the banner “SAVE THE RICE FARM,” successfully lobbying the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to purchase 764 acres for $21 million. The grassroots group of nearly 200 volunteers incorporated in 1986 as the Friends of Danada (FOD), a nonprofit dedicated to assisting the Forest Preserve in managing the former Rice estate for public benefit. Officially established June 25, 1986, Friends of Danada took on restoring the deteriorating Danada House mansion, stables, paddocks, gardens and even the half-mile racetrack for public use. The organization’s mission expanded to operating Danada House as an event venue, cultivating a 40-acre Danada Model Farm, and supporting educational and recreational programs that celebrate Danada’s equestrian and agricultural heritage. Today, FOD continues to partner with the Forest Preserve through financial support and volunteer labor, ensuring Danada remains a community asset.
History Committee: In 2011, Friends of Danada created the Fact Finders History Committee to research and document the rich history of Dan and Ada Rice, their estate, and the Ada L. Rice Stables. Comprised of FOD volunteers, the committee was spearheaded by dedicated members like Don Nash and Paul Cox (who passed in 2021 and 2020 respectively) and has since amassed an archive of over 1,000 photos, news clippings, artifacts, and even film footage. The committee produced a 12-minute video summarizing the Rices’ lives and the estate’s development into today’s preserve, available on this site and via Friends of Danada’s online channels. The History Committee invites new volunteers to help uncover more history – meetings occur roughly every four weeks at Danada House, and anyone interested in local history is encouraged to join in the fun of preserving Danada’s legacy.
Friendly Note: The Friends of Danada History Committee welcomes community members to explore the archives on this website and even participate. Volunteering offers a rewarding way to give back while learning about a unique chapter of DuPage County history. Whether it’s genealogical research, scanning old news articles, or preparing exhibits, the committee’s work ensures that the story of Dan & Ada Rice, and the land they loved, is not forgotten.
