MANCHESTER, Ohio — Have you noticed the colorful quilt patterns painted on barns and buildings as you travel? They are called quilt barns, or barn quilts, and each one has a history and a passionate group of people connected to it.
A quilt barn is a barn with a large quilt square painted or hung on the side. The designs for these colorful paintings are taken from traditional quilt patterns or designed by contemporary quilt artists.
History
Quilt barns were first created in 2001 by Donna Sue Groves, to honor her mother, noted quilter Nina Maxine Groves. A resident of Adams County, Ohio, Donna Sue developed the idea of decorating farm buildings with quilt squares.
The quilt barns became a county-wide driving trail, spreading like wildfire all over the U.S. Thirty states and two Canadian provinces now have quilt barns, with more than 3,500 known quilt squares and at least 100 dedicated driving trails.
A 10th anniversary celebration is planned to bring together quilt barn enthusiasts from all over the country to celebrate and honor the individual quilt trails and those who created them.
Event details
A two-day Quilt Trail Gathering will be held May 13-14 at the Red Barn Convention Center in Adams County, Ohio. Donna Sue Groves will co-chair the event with Sonja Cropper, the tourism coordinator for Brown County, Ohio.
Quilt barn enthusiasts from all over the country are expected to attend the social gathering. A representative from each trail will be highlighted during the event.
Location. The Red Barn Convention Center is at 2223 Russellville Road, Winchester, OH 45697 adjacent to the Appalachian Highway (Route 32) at the intersection with Route 136 in southern Ohio. Advance registration is required. There is parking for recreational vehicles available.
Registration information and details about the Gathering are available at www.quilttrailgathering.com and at www.facebook.com/quilttrailgathering. The event is made possible by the Ohio Arts Council and el Sombrero Restaurants.
