The Barn Quilt Heritage Trail of McLean County has kicked off their barn quilt display.

Over the next five years, the Barn Quilt Heritage Trail of McLean County is looking to install 50 barn quilts throughout McLean County. They installed their first one in May at the Ropp Jersey Cheese Farm, northwest of Normal, Ill. and are getting to install two more at the Ronald and Betty Zook farm near Danvers, Ill. and the Rader Family Farms west of Normal, Ill.

According to co-chair Kay Henrichs, the barn quilts are 8 by 8 foot plywoods painted to look like a quilt square that will mounted on the side of barns and agriculture buildings. The quilts are meant to highlight McLean County's large agriculture and quilting communities.

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Henrichs also sees the five year project as a look at the history of agriculture in McLean County. She explains that when a farmer enters their farm building to get a barn quilt, they provide history about the barn or structure.  

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The farmers have to pay a fee to get a barn quilt, and they must let the weather-resistant piece be on display for at least five years.  The farmers do get to help design their barn quilts, and Henrichs adds that they can have traditional quilts or a specialized one.

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The Barn Quilt Heritage Trail will also have youth groups paint small 2 by 2 quilts for businesses to display in McLean County towns.

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Henrich adds that the Barn Quilt Heritage Trail would like to put up 10 barn quilts a year. The group is hoping they can focus on a section of McLean County each year. She says that so far the group has their ten for this year and six for next year ready.

For those interested in getting a barn quilt, contact Henrichs at 309-662-5883 or Karen Gottlieb at 309-663-4259.