Take Missouri's Quilt Barn Trail For An Unexpectedly Awesome Day Trip
By Beth Price-Williams|Published December 03, 2018
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
A road trip usually promises plenty of things: A way to relax, unexpected adventure, and plenty of stories to tell afterward. But, one part of the road trip – or even just going for a leisurely drive – tends to get overlooked, at least when we’re passengers. We sometimes forget to watch the landscape as it rolls by without realizing what hidden gems we may be missing. Like the beautiful quilts along this quilt barn trail in Missouri.
Discover the rich agricultural history of Missouri along this quilt barn trail that began as a way to honor the important roles farms and agriculture play in the state.
The Boonslick Area Tourism Council Barn Quilt Tour travels through Cooper, Howard, and Saline Counties. So, you can explore each trail separately or all at once.
Then, council members trace the pattern on professional-grade aluminum before painting the pattern, with the colors chosen by the barn owner, in latex paint.
And, finally, the block quilt is affixed to the side of the barn, complete with the name of the barn's owner or sponsor, the name of the quilt, and the date the quilt was installed.
If you travel the quilt barn trail in Saline County, you'll see the Farmer's Field (pictured below). Barbara and Robert James, owners of the barn, chose the Farmer's Field pattern because of Mr. James' lifelong work as a farmer.
The Boonslick Area Tourism Council's map of each county's trail features a photo of each barn quilt and, in many instances, the story behind the quilt.
Have you been on this quilt barn trail in Missouri? Tell us about your experience in the comments! Then, if you’re into quilting, plan a trip to this massive quilt shop in Hamilton. Click here to read more.
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