Danada House

09/12/2026

Take a quiet walk with us through the Native Display Garden, one of the most peaceful corners of Danada House.

09/09/2026

Fountain of youth, fountain of life, fountain of Danada! When every weekend here is fast paced, we wanted to slow it down…

08/29/2026

The colors of Danada are vibrant!

08/24/2026

Have you ever wondered where the name “Danada” came from?

It was created by combining the names of Dan and Ada Rice, the husband-and-wife team whose story shaped this remarkable piece of DuPage County history.

Dan and Ada married in Chicago in 1920. Nine years later, they purchased 152 acres of farmland between Wheaton and Naperville. Over time, their estate grew to approximately 1,350 acres and became a working farm, a family home, and one of the country’s leading Thoroughbred racing operations.

Their accomplishments reached far beyond the farm. Dan and Ada supported medical research, education, conservation, the arts, and numerous charitable organizations. Their horses won thousands of races, including the 1965 Kentucky Derby, but their greatest legacy may be the land and opportunities they left behind.

Following their deaths, local residents and preservationists fought to protect the property from development. Much of the former estate eventually became the Danada Forest Preserve, allowing the community to continue enjoying the land that Dan and Ada built together.

Dan + Ada = Danada.

Their names are still joined together, and their story is still being written.

Learn more about Dan and Ada Rice:
https://danadahistory.org/the-rice-family/

Danada is a property rich in the story of one self-made man’s American dream. Daniel F. Rice was born on March 3, 1896, in Chicago.

08/18/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to Damian and Greg from the Forest Preserve grounds crew for everything they do to keep Danada House looking beautiful.

Their care and hard work never go unnoticed. We regularly receive compliments from our brides, their families, and guests about our lovely lawn, gardens, and flower beds.

Damian oversees the grounds and works tirelessly to keep everything looking its best… from selecting flowers and maintaining the beds to mowing and handling countless other details.

Greg, who has been seasonally assigned to Danada House, has also done a fabulous job keeping the plants and lawn healthy and looking beautiful! We’ll miss him as his time with us comes to an end.

Damian and Greg, thank you again for the pride you take in caring for this special place. Your work helps create a beautiful setting for so many meaningful celebrations, and we sincerely appreciate all that you do!

08/18/2026

An epic, Danada House cinematic film that is overly dramatic and intense for no real reason other than a reel reason. ;)

08/14/2026

Long before Danada became the place so many know today, horses bred on this Wheaton farm were making headlines from Chicago to Churchill Downs.

Lucky Debonair won the 1965 Kentucky Derby. Pucker Up became a national champion. Pia Star equaled the world record for a mile on dirt. Pet Bully won 23 races, and Chief of Chiefs once handed the legendary Kelso a stunning defeat.

These horses did more than win races. They carried Ada L. Rice’s colors onto some of the biggest stages in American racing and helped build the Danada legacy still preserved today.

Meet the remarkable horses behind the name:

https://danadahistory.org/notable-horses/

08/08/2026

The Summer Beauty alliums were open for business, and the honeybees showed up in force. A little midsummer magic at Danada House.

08/04/2026

Yesterday, our webmaster came by to take video and photos. While he was taking picture, this happened! Good thing it was a Live Photo.

07/25/2026

We’ve hosted so many incredible weddings, and we love celebrating the beautiful moments created here. Take a look at our highlights page for inspiration and see why couples choose Danada House for their special day. You have a video and its not displayed here, please add the link in the comments or send us a message.

Check out wedding highlights: https://danadahouse.org/wedding-highlights/

From heartwarming ceremonies to unforgettable receptions, find inspiration for your special day at one of Illinois' top wedding venues.