DECATUR COUNTY – In conjunction with the state’s impending bicentennial celebration, the Decatur County Barn Quilt Trail is reinstating a 300-year-old practice to honor the county’s heritage and bring in tourism.
In 2001, an Ohio woman named Donna Sue Groves started a grass-roots art movement, by establishing a barn quilt trail in Adams County, Ohio. A barn quilt is any type of design, in black and white or color, usually painted on a sheet of 4x4 or 8x8 plywood, which is hung for people to drive by and see.
Since Groves’ original trail, the movement has expanded to over 40 states and even to Canada. In Indiana alone, there are nine counties with established barn quilt trails.
According to Project Coordinator Sandi Lister, barn quilts have been showing up in Decatur County for some time. Lister would like to help establish an official barn quilt trail in the county to attract more tourism as well as increase community interest and involvement.
“Barn quilt trails are a wonderful way to display the heritage of your county and bring people in,” Lister said, adding that each quilt reminds her of her grandmother, who used to craft handmade quilts.
Lister said barn quilts are a representation of the rich heritage of the Midwest, the state and the local community. The barn quilt project would like to incorporate the theme of the 2016 Indiana bicentennial for some of the barn quilts. Using quilt patterns that reflect different eras from Indiana’s last 200 years is an important addition to the project, according to Lister.
The barn quilt trail will tell a story of the region. For example, different stops could feature the Westport Covered Bridge, the historic Decatur County Courthouse or a log cabin quilt. Unique designs to commemorate the bicentennial could be painted as well.
Lister presented the idea of creating a plaque that stated “Celebrating Indiana’s 2016 Bicentennial” to be displayed under each barn quilt on the trail. Bicentennial-related barn quilts will only make up a portion of the trail and anyone participating will have the freedom to decide on the pattern they’d like to reflect their individual family.
When a number of barn quilts are displayed throughout the county, a trail is established. A colorful brochure will be created, with a map showing each stop, a picture of the quilt, its name and explanation of its meaning.
An established barn quilt trail will create a driving tour for tourists to explore what Decatur County has to offer. Lister hopes it will bring in money for the county as well as fostering a sense of community and pride.
To get the official trail started, Lister has teamed up with Melanie Maxwell, Executive Director of Visit Decatur County and Susan Ricke of the Decatur County Historical Society. At least 20 barn quilts will need to be on display to form the trail. Lister said a committee is being made now and representatives will be set up at the Tree City Fall Festival, Crackaway Daze and the upcoming HighPoint Orchard Festival to help people learn more and make plans to take part.
Lister said volunteers are needed for designing and painting quilts, as well as donating paint, plywood and two by four boards for quilt frames.
During the fall and winter months, Lister said there may be painting workshops at the Art on the Square Gallery, which would offer some help to those wishing to take part in the trail.
Barn quilts need not necessarily be displayed on a barn. They can also be hung from houses, sheds, businesses, or any other type of building. Making a barn quilt as a community project is a way to involve local artists and expert quilters in a unique design and encourage local youth involvement as well.
“Upon the establishment of the Decatur County Barn Quilt Trail,” the project’s mission statement reads, “this will create a legacy for the future for an ongoing celebration of our rich heritage and remembrance of the Indiana 2016 Bicentennial.”