On several occasions due to the pandemic, the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society has finally moved forward on the placement of a new public artwork honoring a local architectural icon.
The life-size bronze statue of Lilian Rice, who designed the community of Rancho Santa Fe almost 100 years ago, will sit on a large boulder in North Village Park. The statue was generously donated by Rancho Santa Fe resident Jenny Freeborn and sculpted by Fairbanks Ranch artist Nina de Burgh.
Architect Lilian Rice
(Courtesy of the RSF Historical Society)
Southwest Boulder and Stone delivered the 8,200 pound stone base for the statue via a crane to the park in the early morning hours of September 30. Members of the Historical Society had made many trips to the quarry to find the right shape and color for the stone. by selecting a rose quartz that seemed to glow in the early morning sun.
Freeborn and Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society board members John Vreeburg, Peggy Brooks, Kim Snyder, Susie Ault and Max Wuthrich watched as the workers skillfully delivered the large boulder and two smaller stones to the chosen location in the park, near the heart of the downtown city she envisioned in the 1920s.
Jenny Freeborn, who donated the statue, takes a photo of the rocks placed in the village.
(Karen Invoice)
Those who accompany their children to school or to the first coffee runs in the village may have caught a glimpse of Rice as she was briefly taken out of a wooden box, took to the skies and left. is lowered onto the rocks to ensure her perfect sitting position on the day of her unveiling. The 350-pound bronze statue will be officially unveiled to the public ahead of the RSF Historical Society’s Roaring 20’s Gala on Saturday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m.
Rice is not only a local icon as a native of San Diego, she is also a pioneer for women in architecture: Rice was one of the first women (and 10th in California) to earn an architecture degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
“As much as the impact Lilian Rice has had on the Rancho Santa Fe community, we [also] pay homage to a woman whose inspiration provided a continuing impression who stands as the most influential among the architects of her time, â€said Vreeburg, president of the RSF Historical Society in a press release.
A plaque will also be placed on the rock with a quote from Rice and recognition of Freeborn’s contribution.
The RSF Historical Society’s Roaring 20’s Gala will take place on October 23.
(Meg Nobriga)
The RSF Historical Society’s Roaring 20’s Gala will be held at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, designed by Rice as La Morada and the village’s first building built in 1922. The open-air event on October 23 will include a themed cocktail from the sweatshop at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and dance to the music of Tony Award-winning actor Christian Hoff at 7:00 p.m. Costumes are optional.
“The (Gala) will be a celebration of the Rancho Santa Fe community and its humble beginnings, culminating in one of the nation’s most admired,†said Vreeburg.
Tickets for the gala can be purchased online at rsfhs.org. Ticket prices are $ 250 per person and all proceeds go to the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society. $ 100 of the ticket price is tax deductible. For more information, contact (858) 756-9291 or [email protected].
