Daughters of American Revolution to Honor Arcadia Resident

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 atcarving angels, doves, fruits, wheat and other religious symbols. Shecarved the altar, baptismal font, and other works for the Church of theTransfiguration, the site of the plaque. She also carved pieces for otherchurches throughout the diocese of Los Angeles and was widely acclaimed.

The placement of the commemorative marker will honor Day’ssignificant 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 inArcadia, an historic building originally built in Los Angeles for an order ofdeaconesses and designed by the well-known architect, Carleton Winslow, Sr.

As a child, Grace was introduced by her father to a love fornature and especially wood. She loved the look, touch and fragrance of wood.Grace became interested in wood carving, an art rarely exhibited by women ofthe day. She was especially interested in ecclesiastical wood carving. Shewas featured in numerous newspaper articles during the 1950s and gavepresentations on her wood carving throughout the area.

Day was a charter member of the Santa Anita chapter of DAR, whichwas organized in 1950, and thus is celebrating its 70th anniversary thisyear. The chapter is a group of about 60 women who are dedicated to promotinghistoric preservation, education, and patriotism and honoring the patriots ofthe Revolutionary War. They volunteer in their communities and provided morethan 3,000 hours of service last year.

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