Barn Quilts of Walworth County
The idea of barn quilts began in Adams County Ohio, in 2001. It was conceived as a way to draw traffic off a busy four-lane highway as it wound through the economically depressed area of southern Ohio. Local artists painted traditional quilt blocks on weathered tobacco barns and the project began to attract travelers to the area, increasing business for local establishments. In 2003, Grundy County, Iowa started a similar barn quilt project to draw traffic back to rural areas bypassed when a major highway was rerouted. Their Barn Quilt Loop is designed to highlight the agricultural heritage of the county, as well as the folk art of quilting.
A group of Walworth County citizens has been meeting to develop a barn quilt project for Walworth County.
The Walworth County barn quilts project has the following objectives:
- Promote the rural heritage of Walworth County
- Highlight the architecture and history of barns in the county, encouraging the preservation of these structures for future generations.
- Encourage economic development by promoting ag-tourism and other local businesses.
- Educate the public about the art and history of quilting, promoting quilting as a form of art.
Currently, the barn quilt group is working on painting 8’ x 8’ quilt blocks to hang on area barns. There are six blocks mounted with another 12 planned by the end of June. At that time a brochure with a map and pictures of the first 18 barn quilts will be printed. We are continuing to take applications from barn owners interested in the project. The first phase of the Walworth County Barn Quilts project was funded by a UW-Extension Southern District Innovative Grant.
We are looking for barn owners, quilters, businesses, and other volunteers to come together to create a patchwork quilt on the sides of Walworth County barns and other historically significant structures. If sponsorship of a barn quilt block is of interest to you, or you would like to donate your time, materials, or expertise to this project, please click on the links below, fill out the forms and return to:
UW-Extension, Walworth County
Attn. Peg Reedy
100 W Walworth Street, PO Box 1001
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Sponsors:
All sponsors will be listed on the website and in printed “Quilt Trail” maps.
- UW-Extension, Walworth County
- Walworth County Visitors’ Bureau
- Whitewater Tourism
- Barker Lumber
- Jackson’s DIB Hardware
- Becky Merwin
- Sandy Jenkins
- Schyler and Rita Case
- Don and Helen Schmaling
WALWORTH COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU
 I would like to sponsor a Quilt
I would like to apply for a Quilt
Updated Map
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1. "Cedar Bend Star"
Alyce & Gordon Smith
N7922 Hwy 12
Elkhorn, WI 53121 |
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2. "Hereford Star"
Sylvia & Paul Baker
N7850 Hwy 12
Elkhorn, WI 53121
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3. "Cake Stand"
Patti & Rick Stern
N5423 Kennel Rd
Elkhorn, WI 53121 |
4. "Rose Path"
Doug Amon
N5088 Cty Tk O
Delavan, WI 53115 |
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5. "Corn & Beans"
Helen & Don Schmaling
N4534 Cty Rd P
Delavan, WI 53121 |
6. "Carpenter's Wheel "
Jean & Bill Duesterbeck
N4197 Cty Rd P
Delavan, WI 53115 |
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7. "County Fair"
Walworth County Fairgrounds
North Hall
Elkhorn, WI 53121
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8. "Patriotic Heart"
Becky & Ernest Merwin
W4322 Cty Rd B
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
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9. "Carolina Lily "
Rita & Schuyler Case
W8388 Stateline Rd
Sharon, WI 53585 |
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10. "Ohio Star"
Sue & Rick Thelen
N5393 Granville Rd
Elkhorn, WI 53121 |
11. "Patriotic Ohio Star"
Sandy & Kerry Jenkins
W3334 State Rd 11
Elkhorn, WI 53121
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12. "Bear Paw "
Lauderdale Farms
W4726 Cty Rd A
Elkhorn, WI 53121 |
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