With 70 quilt images on display countywide, the Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Trail in Greene County is Virginia’s largest barn quilt trail and one of the largest in the U.S., according to the Greene County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Launched in 2017, the trail is a collaboration between The Art Guild of Greene County and the county’s tourism program.
Barn quilts are squares of wood painted to look like a quilt block and displayed on the exterior of a barn, house, garage or business. Most barn quilts feature simple geometric shapes and solid colors. Barn quilts have existed as folk art for several generations. They emerged as a grassroots public art movement in Ohio and have spread to 48 states and Canada.
Greene County Farm Bureau President Joanne Burkholder created a barn quilt for the trail. It hangs on her garage, and she said she is pleased with the bright yellow and blue starburst pattern on the square.
“The barn quilts are a tourist attraction and bring economic development to Greene County,” Burkholder explained. “For people who participate, it shows they care about their property and helps draw attention to agriculture.”
Workshops have been held in Greene and Madison counties for individuals who want to create their own barn quilt squares. Greene County’s next goal is to have 100 quilts on display.
A trail map is available at the Greene County Visitors’ Center in Ruckersville, and a downloadable self-guided tour can be found at exploregreene.com/explore/barn-quilt-trail.
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