In May 2011, the McHenry County Historical Society produced a Barn and Garden Quilt Map for the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest. Although the hardcopy maps that were available from the McHenry County Historical Museum are now gone, the first version of these maps are still accessible from the Historical Society’s website, www.mchsonline.org on the home page. A slideshow of barn quilts can also be viewed at www.mchsonline.org. On the menu bar, go to The Society—Barn Programs—Quilted Barn Program.
The McHenry County Historical Society is looking for your help to start revising the barn quilt map. If you know of a barn quilt that’s not included on the slideshow of our website or recent additions, please let us know. “Barn quilts” can be found on more than barns. They may be seen on corncribs, silos, garages, outbuildings, and businesses. So far, thirty-seven barn quilts have been documented, but there are more. As part of the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest, Marengo had over 20 porch quilts up in town that were then auctioned off and are now owned by someone who probably has it up permanently. We’d love to know where they all are! People enjoy touring our county looking at all the barn quilts. Not only is this wonderful public art, it celebrates our rural heritage. Please call the McHenry County Historical Society at 815-923-2267, e-mail us at info@mchsonline.org or go to our website, www.mchsonline.org with new found barn quilts. Your help will be appreciated!
— McHenry County Historical Society
