The blank brick wall on the Garro Street side of the Marshall County Museum is now adorned with an 8 foot by 8 foot barn quilt square representing the state and nation. The “Homespun Hoosier Hospitality” quilt was painted by Connie Kleckner of Plymouth, who has done more than 50 such unique quilt squares with help from her husband, Thom.
“It got a little warm outside, so we came inside to the garage and he put in an air conditioner so I can paint longer. Well then it got cold, so we put in a heater. So now my garage has air conditioning, it has heat, and my car sits outside,” Kleckner chucked during the dedication ceremony.
Several have been pieced together to form the Marshall County Barn Quilt Trail. It’s comprised of more than 75 murals painted in various quilt patterns that hang on barns and other structures. Marshall County Tourism Executive Director Cori Humes says the trail is one of 17 state-approved Bicentennial Legacy projects in the county. She adds it celebrates the history of agriculture, time-honored tradition of quilting, the community’s passion for art, community pride and Hoosier hospitality.
Marshall County Museum Executive Director Linda Rippy says she’s always viewed the side of the building as a blank canvas.
“I can’t think Thom and Connie enough so much for this. I mean they really put their heart and soul into it. I really want to thank you. Cori also thank you for doing the barn quilts and having the insight. This is the best place it could have been, and I think it’s a testament to the museum and, again, art on the block. We’ve got the art block here, so it just brings a little more art to us.”
Click Marshall County Barn Quilt Trail for a map and more information.
