Welcome to the Friends of Danada!

Please Note: The Danada House and Atrium are currently closed for renovations through Spring of 2025. Updates include: exterior improvements, windows, heating & cooling, flooring, accessibility, lighting, audio/visual, updates in the Bride’s Room and Groom’s room, elevator to the second floor, and safety upgrades. The charm of the Danada mansion will remain, while the Atrium with it’s large windows will continue to bring the views of nature indoors.

Click on Gallery above to see photos of the renovations in progress.

Friends of Danada is a non-profit volunteer based organization in Wheaton, Illinois that assists and supports the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. We carry on the philanthropic and educational efforts of Dan and Ada Rice in the community.

We manage the beautiful Danada House and Atrium where memorable weddings and events take place. Built in 1939, the Danada House was the former home of the Rice’s where they hosted many celebrities of the day including Willie Shoemaker who rode their horse Lucky Debonair to a Kentucky Derby victory in 1965, as well as Don Ameche, an American actor, Jimmy Durante, a well-known comedian and more!

Our Farm volunteers run the Danada Model Farm where school children and the community can learn about farm equipment, corn, soybeans, planting, harvesting and selling crops just as Dan and Ada Rice did many years ago.

Friends of Danada is excited to host a variety of events and educational programs in the coming years as well as offer interesting and fun opportunities to volunteer! Stay tuned as we update our Volunteer program and post some new programs and events!

Friends of Danada was mentioned in an article in the Daily Herald! The article discusses Dan and Ada Rice’s philanthropic pursuits and Friends of Danada’s part in preserving their history.

(A daily fee /current subscription to Daily Herald is needed to view the story)

Check it out here: https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20210715/leaders--legacies-dan-and-ada-rice-philanthropists-business-people-thoroughbred-racehorse-breeders