The Barn Quilts of Bureau County

Now there is another good reason to visit one of the most picturesque counties in Illinois. Actually...over 2 dozen reasons...in the form of Barn Quilts!

Take your map in hand (available below) and follow the new Barn Quilt Trail through the rolling hills and over the many creeks in beautiful Bureau County. This is an easy-to-follow, self-guided tour that winds its way through all corners of this big county. Stop at each Barn Quilt along the way and feel yourself unwind, as you experience firsthand the sensation of seeing art, agriculture and history come together in these iconic images. Stay as little or as long as you'd like. Barn Quilts of Bureau County is designed to celebrate Bureau County's rich agricultural heritage, showcase our rural areas, and promote agritourism, the arts, and a sense of community pride.

The Origins of Barn Quilts

The Barn Quilt concept originated in Adams County, Ohio in 2001 and has spread across the United States and into Canada. Barn quilts aren't made of the traditional fabrics that you may have been expecting. These quilts are a piece of medium density overlay board, from 4 x 4 feet to 8 x 8 feet in size. They are painted with exterior paint and each displays a colorful quilt block, either one chosen from traditional quilt designs, or perhaps personalized in some way. It is then installed on a barn, corn crib or other agricultural building.

Our Beginning

Barn Quilts of Bureau County began in 2014, starting the year with 6 quilts in place. Since then, we have added many more, with over 2 dozen currently situated throughout the beautiful Bureau County countryside. It is our goal to continually added additional Barn Quilts with each passing year hoping to ensure a quit in each our Bureau Counties 25 Townships.

2014 Barn Quilt Tour - July 12th

We kick off the Barn Quilt tour on July 12th, 2014. In cooperation with both the Princeton Tourism and Bureau County Tourism Committees, Our Barn Quilt Tour is held with the annual Bureau County Garden Walk. While touring the beautiful gardens around Bureau County, make sure to visit our local farms displaying beautiful new Barn Quilts.

Please feel free to take your own self-guided tour of the quilts sprinkled throughout Bureau County. This will give you a chance to visit our lovely landscapes, farms and villages as well as offer an opportunity to enjoy our local shops and restaurants. We are very proud of the scenic beauty found throughout Bureau County each season. The breathtaking autumn colors and picturesque winter scenes will only add to your visit.

We would like to note that each quilt is visible from the road. We kindly ask for everyone's well-being that you please drive safely and obey all traffic laws. If there is no safe place to pull off the road at Barn Quilt farm, you may pull into their driveways. Please also remember to check for traffic as you slow down to stop to view each quilt. We are indebted to our barn hosts for their hospitality.

Additional Information

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Barn Quilt Locations

Please use the map below to locate the picturesque Barn Quilt locations through out Bureau County. You may click on each listed in the left column or map icon in the right to zoom in on each individual Barn Quilt location.

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