Historian Nina Fresco Presents Arcadia Bandini Stearns de Baker
As part of the museum’s ongoing observance of Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary, the public is invited to an afternoon of historical discovery celebrating the trailblazing women who helped shape the city’s past.
On Sunday, September 28, at 4:00 PM, local historian Nina Fresco will present highlights from her extensive research into the complex life of Arcadia Bandini Stearns de Baker—an often-overlooked figure in Santa Monica’s founding story. The daughter of influential Californio leader Juan Bandini, Arcadia stepped onto the public stage at just 14, marrying Abel Stearns, a wealthy Yankee immigrant who became a Mexican citizen. Widowed in her early 40s, she later married another powerful figure, Robert Symington Baker. Though her life intersected with some of the most prominent men of her era, Arcadia herself led a private existence, leaving behind few direct records. Through meticulous research and the recollections of those who knew her, Fresco has pieced together a vivid, more complete portrait of one of early California’s most fascinating women.
The program is presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition Herstory: Trailblazers, which celebrates the achievements and impact of women throughout Santa Monica’s history. Following the presentation, guests are invited to a complimentary reception and the opportunity to explore the museum’s current exhibitions. This engagement is free.
Nina Fresco has a BFA from Parsons School of Design. Beginning in 2002, she served three terms as a Santa Monica Landmarks Commissioner, chaired the Civic Working Group Task Force that studied the rehabilitation of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and is currently serving a third term as a Planning Commissioner. Nina is a founding member of the Santa Monica Conservancy and has been instrumental in historic preservation projects throughout the city, so that treasured structures and significant neighborhood histories are not lost. Nina engages in in-depth research on the history of Santa Monica, unearthing what is behind our urban legends and discovering little known stories about people and places from Santa Monica’s past. Stay tuned for her upcoming book First Around the World: the History of the Santa Monica Municipal Airport.
The program is presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition Herstory: Trailblazers, spotlighting groundbreaking women in Santa Monica history, and is made possible in part with 150th Anniversary Micro-grant support from the City of Santa Monica
