Barn Quilts are quilt blocks painted and hung on farm buildings or fences. The quilt blocks are often painted by the resident of the farm or home where they are displayed. The quilt blocks give tribute to our forebears who wasted nothing and were able to create quilts that were functional, but also reflective of the individual who created them.
The Glacial Hills Quilt Trail was established in October of 2015. The trail currently incorporates barn quilt blocks in Leavenworth, Jackson, Jefferson, and Douglas counties. View our Barn Quilts and locations.
TCHS sponsors classes for those wishing to learn how to create their own barn quilt. The barn quilt workshops are held in the spring and the fall of each year.
The class fees include materials and instructions to create your own Barn Quilt Block. Patterns are available at the class or you can bring your own. The 2' x 2' and 4' x 4' blocks are MDO (medium density overlay) signboard, primed with an exterior paint. Exterior paints in many colors are available at the class. Arrive at 9:00am and walk out at 2:00pm with your own Barn Quilt Block.
The next Barn Quilt Workshop will be held on October 21, 2023. Prices are $65 for a 2' x 2' block and $180 for a 4' x 4' block. If you are interested in signing up for this fun day in the barn at the historical society, send an email to: TCHSTonganoxie@gmail.com.
Photos from the TCHS Barn Quilt Workshop on October 8, 2022.
Photos from the March 2022 Barn Quilt Workshop at TCHS.
Photos from the workshop on October 16, 2021.
We had two workshops in April 2021 – one on Thursday, April 22nd and one on Saturday April 24th. Photos below from the workshops at the Fairchild-Knox hay barn at the Tonganoxie Historical Society.
The October 5, 2019 Barn Block workshop was another success. Interesting tidbit – five of the blocks were done by people who traveled from Atchison and Oskaloosa, KS, as well as from Independence, MO, and Maryville, MO. It is wonderful to welcome travelers to our museum.
Photos from the workshop on October 5, 2019 at the Fairchild-Knox hay barn at the Tonganoxie Historical Society.
Photos from the workshop on October 20, 2018 at TCHS.
The Glacial Hills Quilt Trail currently incorporates barn quilt blocks in the Leavenworth, Atchison, Jackson, Jefferson, and Douglas counties of Kansas.
Download the application form and email the application form and a photo of your barn block in its permanent position per instructions on the application.