Eureka Township in Greenville in Montcalm County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Barn Quilt

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 28, 2023

1. Barn Quilt Marker

Inscription. Quilts have a long functional history of keeping people warm, but they often tell a story as well. The materials, colors and patterns used reflect the heritage of the maker.

Donna Sue Groves from Ohio decided to honor her mother, an avid quilter, by painting a large image of a quilt block on the side of her barn. Other families soon added their own "barn quilts," thus starting an American folk art trend. The first official quilt trail was hung 2001 in Adams County, Ohio.

Kelly Whitmer of the Flat River Historical Museum created a barn quilt that would reflect the area's local history. She chose traditional colors and told the story through color and pattern. The "crossing canoes" in the center of the design reflect the area's Native American heritage. Green represents trees and lumbering, blue suggests the Flat River, and red and white are the colors of the Danish flag, representing the heritage of many of Greenville's early settlers. The yellow surround represents sunshine.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.

Location. 43° 10.95′ N, 85° 15.308′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Michigan, in Montcalm County. It is in Eureka Township. Marker is on North Franklin

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Street near West Montcalm Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 North Franklin Street, Greenville MI 48838, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fire Bell (a few steps from this marker); Bridge Plaque (a few steps from this marker); On This Site - The Museum (a few steps from this marker); Brick Pavers (a few steps from this marker); On This Site - Ridley & Belshaw (a few steps from this marker); Millstone (a few steps from this marker); Plow (a few steps from this marker); On This Site - Origins (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . . Quilt Trail. Excerpt:

Though many believe that the Groves' farm is home to the first barn quilt, the first was an Ohio Star created as part of a community celebration at a nearby herb farm. The Groves farm later became part of a trail of 20 barn quilts that formed a driving trail throughout Adams County.

(Submitted on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 28, 2023

2. Barn Quilt Marker

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 28, 2023

3. Barn Quilt

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 28, 2023

4. Barn Quilt

The Barn Quilt is one of the exhibits at the Flat River Historical Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.