Mason County Quilt Trail is growing

Submitted by guest blogger: Jackie Byars, who is the Coordinator of Great Kanawha Resource Conservation & Development

The Mason County Quilt Trail is a brand new agritourism program that is being started to promote business development, highlight points of historical interest and cultural importance, and a way to bring the community together. The Quilt Trail program is not a new idea; it actually began several years ago in Adams County, Ohio by Donna Sue Groves. Groves did it to honor her mother and their Appalachian heritage by placing a quilt square on the family barn. Groves is a native of Roane County, WV. That simple idea has spearheaded a movement that is taking over the rural country side and barns, corn cribs, and sheds all over the place. The program is up and running in seven other states, with North Carolina just recently unveiling their 100th quilt square.

The Mason County WV Trail will follow the roots of the Quilt Trail's primary purpose, to highlight points of historical interest and cultural importance, but we are really focusing efforts to make this Trail a business development opportunity for individuals that want to start or enhance their own home based business. But more on that in a moment!

The most asked question I get about the Quilt Trail Program is "How are these built (cloth material is just going to rot)?" Well the answer is that the squares are actually made out of a special wood product called MDO (medium density overlay) board. The boards are similar in size (8' X 4' X 1") to press board, but have a special coating treatment that protects it from the elements. These boards are mounted on a treated frame and attached to a barn, free standing structures, or on any variety of buildings.

The support group consists of a core group of volunteers in the community that loves the quilt trail concept. We have a carpenter that is top notch and a perfectionist, which is perfect for this type of project. There are even two resident quilters that handle the creative design side. One that is very adept at technical design and layout, has the ability to take a picture of the structure you wish to hang the square on, take a pattern from her quilting program, and impose the pattern onto the building. This allows the person getting the square and those of us painting the square to get an idea of the finish look and product. She has access to thousands of quilt patterns and can change the colors to suit the needs of those wanting the square.

Mollie Yauger and Jane Coles (yellow jacket in back) resident quilt experts; Jackie Byars (center); Jules Bills from WVSU Extension Service (yellow shirt); Denny Bellamy with Mason County Economic Development (green shirt); and Commissioner and Mrs. Gus Douglass at the unveiling of a quilt square on the Douglass Farm.

To garner more community support we ask individuals from different civic and community groups to come and help paint and prepare the squares. The design is laid out on the 8' X 4' wood after the pieces are primed. Then everyone sets into painting. It has given many people the opportunity to support the project that may not have a place to put an actual square. The final step in painting a quilt square is to put a special clear coat covering over the square to completely seal and protect it. When we are all finished we hang the square for the owner and have a dedication ceremony. The public is invited to come and participate and have the opportunity to take pictures and learn first hand why the person wanted to be a part of the Mason County Quilt Trail program.

However, before a quilt square is hung, the desired site must apply and have a review by the site committee for visual interest and potential location of the square. Because of grant monies we have been able to obtain to buy materials the squares are currently free. Using volunteer labor to design and create the squares also keeps costs low. Once a site is approved, the landowner must sign an agreement to maintain the square for 10 years, allow pictures to be taken, and allow the location’s inclusion in promotional brochures for the trail.

The approach taken by the Mason County Quilt Trail Steering Committee was to divide the county up into 4 different driving trails and one walking trail in Pt. Pleasant. Each driving trail has its own theme. Each theme has a different style of quilt patterns that reflects that overall theme. The theme routes are called: Freedom Way, which focuses on quilts used during times of slavery for safe passage to the north; The Agricultural Route, which focuses on quilts with emphasis on crops and farming; WV Ladies Route highlighting the importance of women and home life in rural communities; and The Northern Bend focuses on quilts that display directions or have a connection to the nearby Ohio River.

The overall goal is to have a total of 100 squares in Mason County. Quite a goal for such a small rural community, but I think it will happen. Once the trail begins to have a clear route that it will take through each of these theme driving areas, a map and brochure will be developed to direct people along the route and provide information about the squares and the communities visitors are traveling through. Once this phase in place we hope the trail will act as an economic development stimulus and we will see some businesses start springing up along the trail. When you have hundreds of people driving by your house, what better chance to sell them something to remember or add to their quilt trail experience. Some examples of possible new businesses developed to supplement the trail are pick-your-own plant and vegetable operations, road side markets, pottery sales, quilt sales, or just about anything someone can think of could be possible.

To help with the business start up effort, WV State University Extension Service is lending a hand by offering educational programs that will help individuals start their own business. The Steering Committee felt the economic development aspect was a key component to the entire quilt trail project.

I love the fact that this program highlights so many wonderful things in West Virginia and is a way for people to experience all of Mason County’s beautiful scenery. Hopes are to one day have quilt trails that connect and extend from one side of the state to the other. Would that not be a fantastic trip to take across the state to learn and see so many things that make West Virginia "Wild & Wonderful"?!

Voronwe

Jan 11, 2010
5:24 am

I have always wanted to go on

I have always wanted to go on a trail like this. The quilt trail sounds like it's thriving and I would like to do it as soon as I can! It's pretty big news and the word should be spread.

Zac

Oct 5, 2009
10:37 am