Project Background

The Barn Quilts of Grundy County, a unique form of public art, is based on a project begun in Adams County, Ohio, in 2001.  The Barn Quilt concept was brought to Grundy County, Iowa in the fall of 2003 as a way to bring visitors off of newly completed Highway 20 and back into the heart of Grundy County.  Designed to highlight the rural, agricultural heritage of Grundy County, as well as the important folk art of quilting, the Barn Quilt Loop features large patchwork quilt blocks that have been painted onto the sides of barns and other farm buildings in the area.  These designs range in size from 8'x8' to 12'x12' and are painted either directly onto the sides of the buildings, or onto a plywood frame and mounted to the side of the structure.  

As you travel along the 64-mile Barn Quilt Loop, you will be delighted by more than two-dozen colorful quilt patterns that are spread across the towns of Wellsburg, Conrad, Beaman, Grundy Center, Morrison, Reinbeck and Dike.  Over the past few years, the Barn Quilt of Grundy County has grown into a unique attraction that has drawn visitors from all over the country to see the quilt blocks, shop in the county's many specialty and gift shops, enjoy a meal at one of several locally-owned restaurants, and just generally have a good time here in Grundy County, home of the Original Iowa Barn Quilts.