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About Us.
The Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail is a rural art project that began in 2020. The idea came from existing barn quilts created by residents who live slightly off the beaten path in our rural community. These hidden treasures inspired others to join the trail.
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What's Our Story?
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Sisters Irene and Mary Lynn treasure the quilts their mother made back-in-the-day, when they lived on the family's farm. Like a photo album worn with age, these quilts tell their family's story. The one with the bow tie pattern was made from their father's shirts. He slept under that quilt when they lived in the historic Beavers House (c 1823), the oldest known house in our County. The colorful quilt with a pattern that points this way and that, holds remnants of the dresses they wore when they were young girls, the flip side is pieced together with seed sacks from their family's farm.
Down the road a piece, a white clapboard house sits side-by-side two overgrown workshops. The one on the left, with three super-sized barn doors, was used to work on farm tractors. The smaller one of the right, once a shop, then a store, now a family apartment, is subtly adorned with a six-square painted quilt. The family that lives there loves rural collectables, so much so that the husband created this barn quilt for his wife.
Quilts -- both old and new -- are a fabric of our life. They not only serve the form and function of providing warmth, they serve as a conversation piece, an ice-breaker so to speak, to share our stories and our love of community. It is with that thought that volunteers decided to start a barn quilt trail to celebrate our rural heritage and share the story of Chatt Hills with others.
Down the road a piece, a white clapboard house sits side-by-side two overgrown workshops. The one on the left, with three super-sized barn doors, was used to work on farm tractors. The smaller one of the right, once a shop, then a store, now a family apartment, is subtly adorned with a six-square painted quilt. The family that lives there loves rural collectables, so much so that the husband created this barn quilt for his wife.
Quilts -- both old and new -- are a fabric of our life. They not only serve the form and function of providing warmth, they serve as a conversation piece, an ice-breaker so to speak, to share our stories and our love of community. It is with that thought that volunteers decided to start a barn quilt trail to celebrate our rural heritage and share the story of Chatt Hills with others.
Creating the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail
In 2020, resident Laurie Searle painted a barn quilt on her new yard shed. Since the shed was in the side pasture but visible from her kitchen table, she hoped to "pretty it up a bit" with a brightly colored quilt pattern. Having seen barn quilts in nearby counties and during road trips, she wondered if there would be an interest in creating a barn quilt trail in Chatt Hills.
She met with the city manager and asked if the city could sponsor a quilt trail. As it turned out, the city had funds ear-marked for tourism, and a barn quilt trail seemed a perfect way to promote the city and its heritage.
Seeking technical advice, she befriended members of the Alabama Barn Quilt Trail, who gladly shared their experience. Seeking artistic advice, she asked resident artist Tom Swanson from StudioSwan to serve on a committee. He agreed, and shared his artistic experience and his business knowledge to help guide the project.
Next, she wondered if other residents might be interested in painting a barn quilt for the trail. She posted a meeting in the city's newsletter, and 10 residents came on September 25. They loved the idea! Many wanted to learn more, so she scheduled a class with an experienced barn quilt painter to help get them started. Residents Buddy & Janice Garner were so inspired, they painted a barn quilt for their horse's barn and later painted one for the Bear Creek Nature Center.
With the enthusiastic support from volunteers, a committee, and the City, the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail officially began on September 29, 2020, with its first barn quilt installed at Smith's Grocery Store in honor of its long heritage in Chatt Hills. On April 12, 2024, the 50th barn quilt was installed at StudioSwan in honor of Tom Swanston's long-time artistic support of the quilt trail.
Thanks to the city’s sponsorship, and more than 1,000 hours and funds donated by volunteers, the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail is now the largest in Georgia.
She met with the city manager and asked if the city could sponsor a quilt trail. As it turned out, the city had funds ear-marked for tourism, and a barn quilt trail seemed a perfect way to promote the city and its heritage.
Seeking technical advice, she befriended members of the Alabama Barn Quilt Trail, who gladly shared their experience. Seeking artistic advice, she asked resident artist Tom Swanson from StudioSwan to serve on a committee. He agreed, and shared his artistic experience and his business knowledge to help guide the project.
Next, she wondered if other residents might be interested in painting a barn quilt for the trail. She posted a meeting in the city's newsletter, and 10 residents came on September 25. They loved the idea! Many wanted to learn more, so she scheduled a class with an experienced barn quilt painter to help get them started. Residents Buddy & Janice Garner were so inspired, they painted a barn quilt for their horse's barn and later painted one for the Bear Creek Nature Center.
With the enthusiastic support from volunteers, a committee, and the City, the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail officially began on September 29, 2020, with its first barn quilt installed at Smith's Grocery Store in honor of its long heritage in Chatt Hills. On April 12, 2024, the 50th barn quilt was installed at StudioSwan in honor of Tom Swanston's long-time artistic support of the quilt trail.
Thanks to the city’s sponsorship, and more than 1,000 hours and funds donated by volunteers, the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail is now the largest in Georgia.