McHenry County Quilted Barn Program

Several years ago a local newspaper featured a photo of a barn shadowed in the light of the setting sun. The caption read, “Nothing is more beautiful than seeing the sunset behind a McHenry County barn.” The thought that such a scene in this once prominent Illinois dairy farming county may soon end up as this generation’s memory is giving impetus to a new program.

It is a public art related project that may be the answer for barn appreciation, preservation, and agri-tourism. It combines the tradition and beauty of quilt designing with the long lasting durability of American barns and their adaptability as showcases for public art. Following the lead of states like Iowa and Ohio, McHenry County, Illinois is setting the stage for a similar “Quilted Barn” program in this state.

Download the PDF of the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest Barn Quilt & Quilt Garden Map

Or, enjoy the Interactive public Google Maps version

Basically the program would involve selecting a quilt pattern, painting it onto two 4 x 8 foot plywood sheets, thus making an 8 x 8 foot quilt painting. It will then be attached to a barn close enough to a road to be seen from either direction. Information about the quilt patterns, be it “Log Cabin” “Grandma’s Flower Basket,” “Flying Geese,” the barn, the sponsors and/or artists will become part of one or more self-driving or biking tourist brochures. One county in Iowa already has 48 quilted barns while in Ohio half of the 88 counties have them.

We have the opportunity to do likewise. Our barns are located in close proximity to each other. They are diverse historic structures that will be enhanced by the use of art and quilt designs. Public art in and of itself can be shared by everyone. The program opens up agri-tourism opportunities and quilted barns reconnect all areas of McHenry County to their common origins.

For information on ways to participate in the Quilted Barns program or questions contact the McHenry County Historical Society at 815-923-2267 or info@mchsonline.org. Participation in the McHenry County Quilted Barn Program is open to owners of barns and other rural structures suitable for display. Other groups like quilt clubs, 4-H Clubs, Scout Troops, Artists, religious and civic groups are encouraged to participate in this program by sponsoring the creation of a barn quilt and/or actually making a barn quilt.

The requirements of this Public Art/Barn Preservation Program are minimal purposely to encourage greater participation. For barn sites located within a municipality, please contact those Building/Zoning Departments directly for any restrictions.

Nancy J. Fike

McHenry County Historical Society
Museum Administrator