Plans are underway for one of Washington County’s newest projects. Barn quilts may be gracing barns and outbuildings in Washington County yet this year. A committee interested in this project met for the first time Tuesday, January 16th.
Terry and Julie Mangold are the co-chairs of the committee. “We are so excited to start this project,” exclaimed Julie Mangold. “Old barns are decreasing in number rapidly. Barn quilts are a unique way to bring attention to these structures, the agricultural tradition, and hopefully bring more people to visit our county,” she added.
Barn quilts can be seen in several of Iowa’s counties. Many have brochures outlining a driving tour that takes visitors throughout the county explaining the history of the quilt block design and the barn structure. The local group is hoping to make their project unique to Washington County and link the past, present, and future.
“Washington County has so much to offer. We are proud of that and we want everyone to know it,” said Mangold. “We are hoping to share those things through the artistic designs of the barn quilt blocks,” she added.
Barn quilts are large, quilt patterns typically painted on eight foot square blocks and are displayed on barns or other outbuildings. They may be painted directly on the structure or painted on exterior grade plywood, mounted on a frame, and then hung on the barn.
The committee is partnering with the Washington Tourism Committee and Washington County Extension. However, they are looking for many individuals and groups to help with the project. “We had a great group of people at our first meeting, but we invite anyone interested to come to our next meeting,” said Julie Mangold.
The next meeting will be held at the Washington County Extension office Monday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact the Extension office at
319-653-4811.
Picture Cutline:
Julie Mangold, barn quilt committee co-chair, shows Gene Mohling, Washington County Extension Director, several possible routes for barn quilt tours in Washington County.