Anyone who has spent time drive rural back roads has seen quilt blocks painted on barns. They are quite common in parts of West Virginia, and most states have them. When I first started seeing them a few years ago, I had no idea as to what they represented. I had a camera in the truck and took pictures anyway.
A little research showed that the barn quilts date back to about 2001, when a lady named Donna Sue Groves, in Adams County, Ohio, got the idea of honoring her mother, Maxine, a noted quilter, with a painted quilt block pattern on the family barn. The idea caught on in the community, and a “quilt trail” was born. Other areas with proud heritages in quilting and rural life adopted the idea, and now there are quilt trails in at least 43 states, and three in Canada.
West Virginia has some of my favorites, and Monroe County has quite its share. The quilt blocks are often traditional designs that go back generations, and often hold special meaning to those who lovingly put them on the barns to share. Pr‌inted, as well as on-line resources can serve as guides for finding these treasures. They aren’t necessarily located conveniently on main roads, and are very often on back roads that most people will never drive without good reason.
The back road photographer doesn’t need a reason to drive these roads, other than the potential for finding a great subject to photograph. And, barn quilts serve this purpose well, whether found quite by accident, or on a planned venture.
Your barn quilt / farm landscapes are lovely and compelling. I am planning a barn quilt photography drive later this week, in one of the central Maryland counties. What is your experience regarding the etiquette of photography barn quilts / barns. Do you always take your photos from the main road, or do farmers mind if you drive into their driveways for a closer look?
Thanks for your input!
Thanks, Wendy. My photos are mainly from the road (or pulled off the road), as most are on back roads with very little traffic, not close to a house, or can only be photographed from a road, as there is no driveway accessible. Barn quilts are put up to be seen and photographed, so I can’t image most farmers having a problem with pulling in a driveway long enough to snap an image from the vehicle. I would never recommend anyone getting out of the car and walking around on private property, without permission. If you see someone out on the property, you can always stop and ask, and maybe get a history or story to go along with your photo, as well as recommendations where to go to see more barn quilts, or sights of interest. If you see a “No Trespassing” sign, it means just that. Any pictures will have to be shot from the public right-of-way. Good luck on your barn quilt photo drive.