What could be more artistic and American than quilting? The history of quilting, the stitching together of layers of padding and fabric, dates back thousands of years. For much of its history, quilting was primarily a practical technique to provide physical protection and insulation. But, today it is a prized art form.

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and the Ottawa County 4-H are proud partners of this project. We invite you to view The Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail. Take a drive across Ottawa County and celebrate the art of quilting as well as the history of barns. The concept of a Barn Quilt Trail began in Southeast Ohio in 2001, and the idea has quickly spread throughout Ohio and across the country. Today, barn quilt trails can be found in over 200 communities in 47 states. Each Barn Quilt Trail is unique. They all attract quilters, barn enthusiasts, artists, historians, agrarians, and other visitors, exploring the unique combination of art and local barns and buildings.

Barn quilts are painted quilt squares, fashioned on boards and mounted on a barn or other building. Unlike cloth quilts that are made up of a series of squares, a barn quilt is almost always a single square. Ohio's first barn quilt appeared in Adams County, Ohio in 2001.

While exploring our Barn Quilt Trail, look for the identification sign on each barn quilt that is a part of our trail. You are welcome to take a photo of the quilts, but we ask visitors to please respect the rights of the property owners who so generously made their buildings available for this project.