Barn Quilts are:

  • 8ft x 8ft, 4ft x 4ft, or 2ft x 2ft painted wooden blocks installed on barns, heritage buildings, businesses, or on posts in front of homes, in parks, etc.
  • The designs are based on quilt patterns, and reflect the them of the trail and the vision of the property owner.

Barn quilt blocks that are connected by a theme make up a trail for divers, cyclists or walkers to enjoy.

Barn Quilt Trails:

  • Promote and appreciate rural art;
  • Honour quilters and the textile arts;
  • Draw attention to heritage barns and other cultural resources;
  • Tell stories about the community;
  • Draw motorists to rural highways and roads, and into communities.

For more information about barn quilt trails in Ontario, visit: barnquilttrails.ca

History:

  • 2001 -Donna Sue Groves –in honour of her mother, a master quilter.
  • First trail in Adams County, Ohio
  • Now in 48 states and Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, NB, NS, BC)
  • Over 7000 quilt blocks are part of organized trails
  • One of the largest grassroots public arts movements in history

Benefits of a Barn Quilt Trail

TrailsFindings from the Ohio Arts Council Quilt Barn Impact Study (2008)

Economic Contributions

  • Increasing Tourism
  • Building Local Entrepreneurship
  • Leveraging Resources for the Community

Social Contributions

  • Strengthening Networks and Partnerships
  • Increasing Community Pride

Cultural Contributions

  • Accenting Local History and Flavour
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