Nancy Schumm-Burgess has been documenting and preserving barns in Illinois since 1997. She assists the McHenry County Barn Preservation Association, the Land Conservancy of Lake County, the Illinois Barn Alliance, and the National Barn Alliance in continuing to recognize the importance of this important part of our agrarian heritage.

Schumm-Burgess is also the author of The Barns of Lake County, Hearts Full of Compassion, Gardens and Other Sanctuaries in Long Grove, Illinois and many history articles for local publications. Her photographs have been featured in books, exhibits and on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Schumm-Burgess lives in Northwest Chicago with her 2 kids, 2 cats and 1 dog.