Not sure what a barn quilt is?
Barn Quilts tell stories of historical significance and act as a means of guiding visitors to rural areas and businesses.
Canada’s barn quilt tradition first began in Ontario who introduced their first Barn Quilt Trail in 2009. Since then there have been more than 7000 barn quilts decorating the countryside in Canada and the US and the numbers are growing.
Locally, we have over 40 Barn Quilts on display with more in the works.
Barn Quilts tell stories of historical significance and act as a means of guiding visitors to rural areas and businesses.
Canada’s barn quilt tradition first began in Ontario who introduced their first Barn Quilt Trail in 2009. Since then there have been more than 7000 barn quilts decorating the countryside in Canada and the US and the numbers are growing.
Locally, we have over 40 Barn Quilts on display with more in the works.
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Explore British Columbia’s first barn quilt trail!
The North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail features beautiful, painted quilt block squares on local barns, businesses, and residential homes in or around our community. These quilt blocks bring together and highlight the traditions of quilting and farming; two traditions that are very much alive in our community today!
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, in partnership with Quilting For You, Shepherds Home Hardware & Outdoor Living Centre, and volunteers, is thrilled to host the North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail.
“Barn quilts are a form of rural graffiti that honour quilters and the textile arts as well as drawing attention to Armstrong Spallumcheen’s important agricultural heritage,” says Sean Newton, President with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce.
“It gets people off of the track and onto roads less travelled,” added Susan Wilson, owner of Quilting For You.
Since it’s launch in 2016, the North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail has grown from six quilts to over forty quilts, with each showcasing a beautiful and unique pattern. The barn quilts are centrally located in and around Armstrong. The most southern quilt is located at Davison Orchards in Vernon and the most northern quilt is located at Blue Hills Lavender Farm in Salmon Arm.
Wilson and her team of volunteers research quilt patterns, collaborate with the property owners, and paint the barn quilts. Participants of the barn quilt trail may choose to paint their own barn quilt, with the conditions of using a non-copywrite pattern and installing the quilt where it is visible from public property. With the help of Nor Val Rentals, a dedicated team of volunteers install the barn quilts.
The barn quilt trail is a self-guided tour, and participants can pick up a map at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, located at 3550 Bridge Street, or on their website, http://www.aschamber.com.
For more information, or if you are interested in joining the North Okanagan Shuswap Barn Quilt Trail, please contact the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre by phone, 250-546-8155, or email, manager@aschamber.com.
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