Fine Arts at the Homestead – Event 3 of 4

Mary Lynn is an author, teacher, historian, and preservationist who graduated from Millikin University and resides in Decatur IL with her husband, Duane. Their family of 7 have dedicated years toward the restoration of beautiful historic homes in Central Illinois. Her first novel, “The Forgotten Life of Sarah Grady”, takes place in early 1900’s and is based on actual letters found in one of the homes she and Duane owned and restored. As Past President/active Board member of 3 Decatur House Museums, she wrote a second book, “My Plot of Ground” about Decatur’s historic Culver Home to bring focus on the ongoing preservation of this beautiful home. She is donating all proceeds to this cause. At her family and fans’ request, she recently published a sequel to her first novel, “Sarah’s Legacy: It’s In The Stars”, which doesn’t disappoint. Currently, she is working on an historical fiction novel supported by letters written by her great uncle who participated in the 1890 Idaho gold rush.

Stefanie Pansch is a musician by night and a cartographer by day. She has performed at a variety of occasions across Central Illinois including weddings, church services, high teas, and parties. In 2022 she gave a recital as part of the Brown Bag Concert Series at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL. A Decatur native, her journey with bowed strings began at Parsons Elementary School with Mrs. Diana Rai, and her harp journey began at the Decatur Public Library with their copy of The Harp by Roslyn Rensch. She currently studies with Julia Jamieson, and she enjoys exploring unusual harp repertoire. She plays the violin and the cello in addition to the harp, and she also enjoys growing orchids and doing a variety of crafts.