In an effort to highlight the town’s agricultural community, the Dartmouth Grange is crafting and selling custom works of art to start a “Barn Quilt Trail.” 

“This will be a nice way to draw interest in barns and farms — [they’re] all over the place here,” Grange president Elizabeth Newton said. “Barn quilts are noticed and there have been cases where it helps the barn since people pay more attention to them.”

A barn quilt is a large, hand-painted wooden block typically mounted on the front or side of a barn, but Newton said it can be displayed just about anywhere.

To kick off the project, the Grange unveiled quilts at its Fisher Road building and at the nearby Alderbrook Farm on July 7.

The idea to have the quilts put up around Dartmouth came about after Grange member  Susan Guiducci took a trip to Upstate New York this past winter and saw how well-received the trail was with the community. 

She added that she especially liked how “it created a sense of community,” as she would see the quilts up on buildings across several small villages.

“It was so inclusive,”Guiducci said.

Physical work on the project officially began in February. 

Newton noted that due to the pandemic and public health guidelines at the time, members would go up to the Grange’s workshop in shifts to cut the pieces of medium density plywood and get used to painting the geometric quilt-like designs the barn quilts are known for.

“We had to adapt to the situation because we didn’t want to stop,” she said. “We were captured by the idea right away.” 

As the project gets up and running, Newton hopes area residents will join the Grange in creating their own quilts to put up around town. 

“We’re going to start here in Dartmouth and see what happens,” she said. “We’re not sure what will be the result, but we’re hopeful people will like it.”

Noting that the typical materials “can be a little expensive,” Newton said that those who are interested in adding a quilt to their building can purchase the boards to do so from the Grange. There will also be finished quilts premade by Grange members. 

Prices will vary depending on the size of the plywood cut and the complexity of the design.

To order a quilt, visit www.dartmouthgrange.org . For more information, contact Newton at (508) 636-4920 or enewton1775@comcast.net .