Barn Quilts Painting

What a perfect topic for a painting! The first quilt trail was created in Adams County, Ohio, in 2001. Donna Sue Groves wanted to honor her mother, Maxine, and her quilting art by painting a quilt block on their tobacco barn. In talking with friends and neighbors, Donna Sue realized that the project had wide appeal and also could be beneficial to the community as a means to bring tourism and economic development. Instead of a single personal tribute, she worked with the community to create a “clothesline of quilts,” which began with an Ohio Star, dedicated in 2001. Though many believe that the first barn quilt was on the Groves barn, the Snail’s Trail quilt block was not, in fact, added to Donna Sue and Maxine’s barn until 2003.