Blankenship Barn Quilt Trail

The Quilt Trail project was inspired in the early 2000s by Donna Sue Groves in Southern Ohio, who wanted to decorate her mother's barn with a quilt pattern. What began as a simple idea blossomed into a regional tourism project, spanning 40 states and Canada. In Northeast Tennessee, our section of the Quilt Trail, managed by the Appalachian RC&D Council based in Johnson City, features over 130 quilt sites across six counties.

We invite visitors to explore the barns by county, with opportunities in Carter, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington. The Appalachian RC&D Council plays an integral role in educating the community about the significance of arts and agricultural heritage, intertwining stories and local businesses along the Quilt Trail.

Our Quilt Stories Project, launched in 2017, preserves these quilt narratives with the support of the Tennessee Arts Commission and ETSU Anthropology Department. We have a YouTube Story Project that showcases 40 audio and slideshow stories. This initiative, with contributions from filmmakers and community supporters, brings quilt stories to life.

The tradition of quilting has long been an expression of warmth and creative craftsmanship, valued both for their practical use and as artistic keepers of history. Today, quilts gain renewed appreciation as part of community heritage and tourism. Through our Quilt Trail, we share not just the quilting artistry but also the stories of the farmers who maintain the barns where these quilt murals are displayed.

We encourage visitors to engage with the Quilt Trail as a journey to discover historic sites, produce stands, pick-your-own farms, and local cultural flavors. It’s an experience that resonates in every season, inviting guests to appreciate both quilting and the rich agricultural heritage of Appalachia.