Barn Quilts

Celebrating BARN QUILTS!

Brian Bender Quilt

S4065 State Road 136, Reedsburg Name of Quilt: Triple Star This barn quilt was designed in time for it to be mounted just prior to the Bender Farm hosting the Sauk County Dairy Breakfast in June of 2012. The history of barn decoration dates back to the mid 1800’s. Painting symbols on barns originated from traditional folk art passed along from the German and Swiss immigrants who settled the Pennsylvania Dutch region in southeastern Pennsylvania. Once these groups built their family farms and communities, they would paint small patterns on their barns to celebrate their heritage and bring good fortune. Today’s barn decorating revival became popular with a woman named Donna Sue Groves, from Adams County, Ohio. She wanted to honor her mother by hanging a colorful painted quilt square on her barn. Instead of just one quilt square, she began a community project with twenty quilts being displayed along a driving trail to encourage visitors to travel through the countryside. This was the start of our first quilt trail in America. Quilt trails are now being organized all across the country. Barn quilts are displayed around communities and then mapped out for tourists to follow these beautiful works of art. They promote tourism and help draw visitors into our rural communities. Traditional stars and various quilt patterns are now being displayed on barns, homes, sheds and sides of buildings. The barn quilts featured on these two pages are just a sampling of those that can be found along the country roads and rolling hills of Sauk County. For more information, please contact a local Chamber of Commerce.

Brad & Kim Schyvinck Quilt

E6458 Pine Rock Rd., Reedsburg Name of Quilt: Moo-na Lisa This dairy farm family fell in love with this quilt which can be seen at a distance if approaching the farm from the west on Pine Rock Road, coming from the direction of Hwy. F. Please drive in slowly to get a closer look.

Jess & Laurie Eastman Quilt

E6453 Short Cut Rd., Reedsburg This quilt was a Christmas gift from Laurie and her daughters to her husband. They thought a barn quilt would look perfect on their red shed, so they looked at various designs and found one they all loved!

Eileen & Lawrence Eberle Quilt

2577 Cty. Hwy. B, Lone Rock Name of Quilt: Bear Claw The painting on this colorful quilt provided many hours of fun for the entire family.

Pat & Sarah Weber Quilt

S3606 Evergreen Rd., Baraboo Name of Quilt: Stars and Stripes Forever This barn quilt depicts a flag waving in the breeze, and is special to the family because two of their children helped make this quilt while they were in an art class in their school.

Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni Quilt

Name of Quilt: The Rising Sun This barn quilt was designed in honor of a local FFA member who served as State FFA President and National FFA Officer “NOMCOM” Chairman. The FFA President’s symbol is the rising sun, and the blue corn kernels in the border are also a part of the FFA symbol.

Bart & Janice Schyvinck Quilt

S1465 Cty. Road WD, Lyndon Station Name of Quilt: Octo Star This farm was purchased in 1962 by Bart’s dad. There are 325 acres, some of which is rented to Bart’s brother, and the rest that they use for their Black Angus beef cow/calf operation.

Gale & Nancy Getschman Quilt

1805 Cty. Rd. BD, Baraboo Name of Quilt: Wisconsin Star Every year Gale and Nancy sponsor a large tractor ride for collectors the second weekend of June, and part of the trip includes a stop at the Sauk County Dairy Breakfast. Since Gale also collects John Deere tractors, he decided to incorporate his favorite brand into their quilt.

BARN QUILTS

Henry & Mary Schwenkhoff Quilt

S4916 Golf Course Rd., Rock Springs When this big red barn was purchased by the Schwenkhoff family in 1929, it had already been in use for fifty years, having been built sometime in the 1870’s. The red, white and blue barn quilt was created to represent the love of country and honors their many military family members who have served and are presently serving.

James & Carol Horkan Quilt

S1314 Farber Rd., Reedsburg Name of Quilt: Quade Crosses This barn was constructed sometime between 1885-1905. It has a hip roof and is a Bank Barn, which means it was built into the hill so the hayloft is at ground level for easier access. The farm has been in the Horkan family for over 65 years.