
May 18, 2025 -This weekend, The History of the Heartland committee honored Lynn and Duane Potter for their 50 years of dedication to the revitalization, restoration, and preservation of Decatur.
“The Potters are the gold standard as far as restoration and rehabilitation of homes in Decatur. We are proud to present this recognition of their service by example in the historic preservation efforts,” says Ayn Owens, founder of History of the Heartland.
The Potter’s Historic home restoration/rehabilitation activity in Decatur began with the purchase of 3 Millikin Place (Grady home) in 1969 from Millikin University.
Duane and Lynn have recently retired from doing home restoration activity when they finally left the Near West End Historic Millikin Heights neighborhood in 2022 with the sale of their home at 366 Edward St, and moved out to South Side Country Club. At the age of 91, Lynn submitted her resignation this year to the Historic Decatur Foundation (Culver House) from the Board position she has served on for the past 33 years.
During these 50+ years (1969-2022), both Duane and Lynn have personally contributed directly or indirectly to the restoration or rehabilitation of over 50 homes in Decatur, most of which were located in the NWRAPS/Millikin Heights Historic neighborhood. Together they have provided years of leadership, countless volunteer hours, donations of money and material, and generated much attention to the beauty and value of historic homes in Decatur.
It is also fitting that near the end of their restoration work, Lynn wrote her first historical fiction novel, “The Forgotten Life of Sarah Grady”, which takes place at 3 Millikin Place and has brought much attention to Decatur’s history.
Past recipients of the Award include, Skip Huston for the Avon Theater, Ms. Evelyn Hood, Del’s Popcorn Shop and the Lincoln Square Theater board and volunteers.