The Highland Tourism Council, Monterey, Virginia, is excited to introduce a revised and expanded version of its popular Highland County Barn Quilt Trail Brochure. Highland County’s Barn Quilt Trail was the first in Virginia, beginning in 2011 with just 13 barn quilts. The updated brochure now has 80 barn quilts for travelers to explore throughout Highland County, Virginia. The new version includes 28 additions since the last revision in 2020. The release of the new brochure coincides with the fall tourism season with stunning foliage currently on display in the mountains.
Barn quilts are colorful painted wooden squares and diamonds that hang on barns, outbuildings and homes. These unique works of art are the merger of traditional roles on the farm, blending the customs of quilting bees together with outdoor barn work into a beautiful combination.
The barn quilts include interesting names like “Foxes Making Tea,” “California Poppy,” “Mug Club,” “Creation Sings,” and “Rising Star.” There is often a story behind the name that corresponds with the design. The barn quilt may memorialize a special friend or moment, showcase a business, or represent the love of plants, animals, or other natural wonders. The public is invited to learn about the history and inspiration of Highland County’s barn quilts in the brochure. Local artist Margie Boesch created the majority of the barn quilts on the trail, but more and more creators have been inspired to develop their own. Whether viewing the county’s LOVEwork letters in Monterey, Virginia, striking designs on generational farms in McDowell, Virginia, or an old maple syrup-producing barn with multiple barn quilts on it in Blue Grass, Virginia, everyone can enjoy the beauty and rich traditions of Highland County while experiencing the self-guided barn quilt trail.
The 2024 Highland County Barn Quilt Trail Brochure will be available at the Highland County Visitor Center at 27 W. Main Street in Monterey, Virginia, as well as local businesses throughout the county. Physical copies can also be ordered online at www.highlandcounty.org/brochures.
A corresponding website with digital versions of the brochure is available at www.highlandcounty.org/barn-quilt-trail. For children of all ages, there are even barn quilt design templates online to be printed out and colored in. For inspiration, use the colors of a current barn quilt on the trail or create one’s own.
