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Quilt Barns of Old Mission PeninsulaA MBPN mini-grant project
Download brochure/map here
 Download PDF building instructions here
 Download Word building instructions here
A quilt-barn tourism trail has bloomed in Old Mission Peninsula (Traverse City) in time for fall color season. This project was conceived of and led by Evelyn Johnson, MBPN Board member and author of Barns of Old Mission Peninsula (2006). Evie – and friends, during a ladies-trip, discovered and were inspired by quilt barn tours in other states and in Alcona Co. Michigan. This grassroots project brought private, farming, and business barn owners together to create another reason for a fall color tour –and express their pride in this lovely place – Old Mission Peninsula. 
Ten barns throughout the peninsula now sport painted quilt block designs that add to the landscape and surprise folks as they drive or bicycle. As you approach the crest of Carpenter Hill about 1.7 miles out Old Mission Peninsula on Center Road you see a shiny metal roof of a barn gleaming about 3 miles off. This is the first quilt barn visible on this twenty-mile long Quilt Barn Tour. The quilt designs you will see on Old Mission barns have been chosen and financed by the barn owners themselves. These images have historical and personal significance to the barn owners. Some choose traditional quilt block designs and others created designs that reflect their lives, work, and values. Brothers Tree Service donated their assistance lifting and placing quilt panels onto the barns. Eric Olsen, designer and builder led that effort. In addition to barn owners, individuals, and businesses within the community, donations and assistance were provided by Behr Paint Co., Michigan Barn Preservation Network leadership and staff of the Michigan State University Museum. They were wonderful help. Take the Tour!
Information contact:Evelyn and Carl Johnson, project directors at: eladybugtc@charter.net |  |
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Emily Gray Kroler designed the image for the Gray/Springer barn (1904) on Gray Road. This celebrates agriculture with the sun, water, and rolling fields showing contour farming that this family pioneered in this area.
Susan and Walt Feiger’s barn (1910) on Nelson Road is an antique shop. The tulip pattern they selected reflects old quilts popular in the Civil War era.
Carl and Suzanne Lehto’s barn (1912) quilt design says who they are. The circles and triangles symbol stands for the Trinity, showing their Christian faith, the American flag - their pride of citizenship; and the Finnish flag, their heritage. The “I&H” for International Harvester – speaks to their love of farming.
The design for Fran and Jim Krupka’s carriage barn (ca. 1900), along Smokey Hollow, was also designed to reflect it’s owners: the Eucharist represents Jim’s role as deacon; five stars are their children, and the three fruits are what they grow; a palm tree is the logo for Fran’s business.
Brendan Keenan and wife, Teri Gray, without a barn of their own, wanted to participate and designed a quilt square to mount on their pole building. The pattern is adapted from a 1940’s quilt designed by Teri’s great-grandmother.
Glen and Becky Chown’s iconic gambrel roof barn (1870) on Old Mission Road has been restored. Their design, a modified Bear Paw pattern, was taken from a quilt made by Becky’s great-grandmother.
Grand Traverse Winery Barn (owned for many years by the Kroupa/ Kniss family) now supports a vineyard. Sean O’Keefe selected “Red Bird” as the quilt pattern because it reminded him of the birds that fly about the vineyard every fall.
Dean and Laura Johnson’s barn (1909) is a part of a working
farm. The design they selected is called North Star (also called LeMoyne
Star). This is the view you will catch as you return to Traverse City on
Center
Road.
Walter and Mary Johnson’s barn (1880) is a part of a working cherry farm. It is appropriate that cherries are at the center of the pattern surrounded by a windmill quilt design. Their location has always been known to be a windy hill.
Shirley Miller chose “Arrowhead” for her 100 year old barn. In constructing this barn foundation rocks and barn timbers were taken from the surrounding farm land. 