On Michigan’s historic Old Mission Peninsula, the community has banded together to stitch a Quilt Barn Trail. One may ask, as I first did, what is a Quilt Barn Trail? Essentially, it is an effort to celebrate and recognize the agricultural heritage of the community by decorating area barns (sometimes other non-agricultural structures) with painted wooden squares that depict important familial, cultural, and historical aspects of the farm where the barn is located.
The trail allows residents and tourists alike, to travel the countryside admiring the quilt patterns and learning more about local history. According to barnquiltinfo.com, the first of these Quilt Barn Trails was established in Adams County, Ohio, southeast of the Cincinnati in 2001. Today, nearly 30 quilt barn squares adorn the countryside there.
On Old Mission Peninsula, located adjacent to Traverse City, my wife and I located 15 of these quilt squares – more than the ten (10) listed on the most recently updated guide found online. Above and below are five (5) of my favorite images from those we found and photographed while touring about this gorgeous peninsula on April 23rd.
Many other communities across the nation have similar programs, though not necessarily all of them are placed on barns. There are 17 other counties just here in Michigan with some sort of Quilt Barn Trail to follow and enjoy.
Below is a short poem I penned about Old Mission Peninsula’s Quilt Barn Trail. Peace!
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Along the Quilt Barn Trail
Along the quilt barn trail
are squares that tell a tale
of culture and folklore
with exterior decor
–
On this gorgeous landscape
dotted by cherry and grape
rest these artistic visions
depicting quaint Old Mission
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Affixed upon each shed
an image of fabric spread
being artfully transformed
onto timbers aptly formed
–
Nailed smartly to the wall
these bright patterns do recall
something dear to the heart
that one wishes to impart
–
Visitors from near and far
arrive by bike, bus, and car
to see these colorful works
while enjoying local perks
–
Cresting hills and narrow vales
surrounded by windswept sails
add luster to this background
where serenity may be found
–
Along Mission’s quilt barn trail
homespun profiles do prevail
each scene’s a new delight
on the landscape they alight.
–
Rick Brown 2016
problogic
Panethos 