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The mission of the Calvert Barn Quilt Trail is to connect our community and visitors by promoting Calvert County's agricultural heritage, local history and artistic talent through the exhibition of hand painted wooden quilt squares on barns and buildings throughout Calvert County.

A barn quilt is a replica of one square from a quilt, painted on plywood, usually eight-by-eight feet, and mounted on a barn or building for visitors to see. There are thousands of them all over the country, and the Calvert County Trail will be the first in Southern Maryland and the third in the State, joining Garrett and Carroll Counties.

The American quilt trail movement began with a woman named Donna Sue Groves, in Adams County, Ohio, in 2001. She wanted to honor her mother and her quilting art by painting a replica of a quilt square on their tobacco barn. Thanks to Donna Sue, there are over thirteen thousand quilt squares all across the United States.

The Calvert Barn Quilt Trail is a program of the Arts Council of Calvert County, a 501(c)(3), and is supported by volunteers, the generous donations of private individuals, and the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium.  It connects our community and visitors by promoting our County's agricultural heritage, local history and artistic talent through hand painted wooden quilt squares.

Each square tells two stories. One is the story of the square's artwork. Is it a beloved traditional quilt pattern that has meaning for the sponsor of the square or is it an original designed by a local artist? Another is the story of where the square hangs. Is it on a barn belonging to a multigenerational farming family, a small business, a museum or a private home? Each one is beautiful and tells a special story.

The new trail stretches from North Beach to Solomon's Island and from the Chesapeake Bay to the Patuxent River. To download or view a brochure that was created by Calvert County Economic Development & Tourism and the Calvert Barn Quilt Trail Committee, click here . Follow us on Facebook and browse around within this website for images of each square and an interactive map.  To view the complete Press Release, click here .

We are only 35 miles South of Washington, DC, so come and enjoy our Barn Quilt Trail, learn about Maryland's history, find creative art and gifts, relax by the water, and bring home some great local produce. Discover local restaurants, attractions and more at www.ChooseCalvert.com . For more information about visiting Calvert County, MD, please contact Hilary Dailey, hilary.dailey@calvertcountymd.gov .