Barn Quilt Trail created to boost tourism, honor agriculture

Submitted by GPCAAC

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and Ottawa County 4-H have teamed up to create the Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail. Barn quilts are painted quilt squares fashioned on boards and mounted on a barn or other building. Unlike cloth quilts that are made up of a series of squares, a barn quilt is almost always a single square. The concept of barn quilts began in Adams County, Ohio in 2001. Today, barn quilt trails can be found in over 200 communities in 47 states.

The Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail is an invitation for visitors to take a driving tour around the county to view the quilt blocks mounted on barns and buildings and enjoy the unique character of Ottawa County. In addition to promoting tourism, the Trail fosters an appreciation of barns, tells the story of an agricultural community, and displays the art, craft, and legacy of quilt making in the region.

The barn quilts created and installed through Ottawa County is a result of a collaborative project made up of barn owners, artists, carpenters and sponsors. The first completed barn quilt was installed June 2017 at the Damschroder Hall at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. The goal is to have 20 installed by the year 2020. At the project’s completion, there will be an informational brochure with a map of the trail, identification of each quilt pattern, the sponsor and the name of the club or organization that painted the square.

Visit ottawacountyarts.org for information on how you can help with the project.