The Fulton Montgomery Quilt Barn Trail (opens in a new tab) (FMQBT) is seeking community members to help grow and connect the trail throughout the region. Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort is encouraging residents to become aware and participate in the trail, which already has more than 65 locations, making it a source of community pride and individual artistry.

“This is a great way to connect our region’s rich history and abundant heritage and have the trail become a tourist attraction,” Ossenfort said. “Besides attracting tourists, these are terrific pieces of artwork and bring much artistic value and a sense of pride to the community.”

The FMQBT visually connects the outdoor landscape with unique quilt barn squares throughout Montgomery and Fulton counties. The first quilt barn trail was created, in 2001, in Adams County, Ohio and they can be found in almost all 50 states. Barn quilts are typically wooden squares painted to resemble quilt blocks and positioned at the front of a garage, barn, house, shed, business or free standing on posts. Wooden barn quilt squares can be based on traditional patterns with individual influences making them unique to each property and community. Quilt Barn Squares (QBS) should not have any logos or lettering on them, as they are meant to be art, not a sign, and should include at least one element of quilting to them.

The FMQBT website (www.fmquiltbarntrail.com (opens in a new tab) ) has more information on the trail and also includes a map, which can be downloaded, with designs and locations of all of the more than 65 current quilts throughout the two counties. The website also has construction tips, pattern and design ideas, information about ordering a complete square and forms to register your quilt on the FMQBT.

“I would like to see more people become involved in the project,” said Liz Argotsinger, the resident who kickstarted the project locally. “We are only a year and a half into it and have more than 65 sites and are growing weekly. It’s a great way to get people to stop by your business or add beauty to your home and property. I’m always happy to help people get started in making their own or direct them to the person to paint theirs depending on the desired style.”

“The hope is to really promote rural art,” said Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, who works for the Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce and is the Director of Tourism for both counties. “It really promotes our heritage and can boost the local economy.”

You can be a part of the trail by making a quilt square and displaying it on your property or by purchasing a board custom made for you. For more information, please contact Argotsinger at (518) 774-8717 or by email at argotsinger18@hotmail.com (opens in a new tab) .