Barn Quilts play an important part in our history. Before there were road signs in rural America, a Quilt placed on a barn or home served as a landmark to travelers. 

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During the 1800s, Barn Quilt patterns carried symbolism to direct runaway slaves to safe houses and food sources. In the early 2000s the craft was revived by an Ohio woman who wanted to honor her mother, a quilter, by painting a large mural of her favorite quilt square on their barn. The trend quickly caught on and there are Barn Quilt Trails in almost every state.