The Santa Anita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will honor one of its own at the unveiling of a historic plaque and reception in Arcadia. The public is invited. The event will take place on Sunday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of the Transfiguration, 1881 S. First Ave., Arcadia.
The ceremony will honor Grace Ballard Day, an Arcadia resident, for her work making woodcarvings for local churches. Day became proficient at carving angels, doves, fruits, wheat and other religious symbols. She carved the altar, baptismal font, and other works for the Church of the Transfiguration, the site of the plaque. She also carved pieces for other churches throughout the diocese of Los Angeles and was widely acclaimed.
The placement of the commemorative marker will honor Day’s significant contributions to local history.
Grace Ballard Day was born on Aug. 18, 1896, and died on Nov. 24, 1973. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Arcadia, an historic building originally built in Los Angeles for an order of deaconesses and designed by the well-known architect, Carleton Winslow, Sr.
As a child, Grace was introduced by her father to a love for nature and especially wood. She loved the look, touch and fragrance of wood. Grace became interested in wood carving, an art rarely exhibited by women of the day. She was especially interested in ecclesiastical wood carving. She was featured in numerous newspaper articles during the 1950s and gave presentations on her wood carving throughout the area.
Day was a charter member of the Santa Anita chapter of DAR, which was organized in 1950, and thus is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The chapter is a group of about 60 women who are dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. They volunteer in their communities and provided more than 3,000 hours of service last year.
