Montgomery County Quilt Trail Grand Opening Offers Scenic Beauty, Local History
Throughout the state, Arkansas Quilt Trails offer pockets of color and storytelling. Lovers of history and the scenic beauty of the Ouachita Mountains will have an opportunity to explore both at the grand opening of the Montgomery County Quilt Trail on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Image courtesy Arkansas Quilt Trails
REBEKAH HALL
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ARKANSAS
Throughout the state, Arkansas Quilt Trails offer pockets of color and storytelling. Lovers of history and the scenic beauty of the Ouachita Mountains will have an opportunity to explore both at the grand opening of the Montgomery County Quilt Trail on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Along 19 quilt blocks throughout the county, the self-guided trail features several historic homes and sites, a historic church and cemetery, and an art gallery. Visitors can meet quilt block artists and owners, visit stores and museums and learn about the history of agriculture and quilting in the region. Refreshments will be available at some locations, as will public restrooms.
A project of the Arkansas Coalition of the Ouachitas, each painted block along the Montgomery County Quilt Trail corresponds with a story about its design and the location’s history – such as the block at Gap Mercantile, which celebrates the owner’s family of quilters and the history of the building, constructed in 1932. Each block is a square, constructed of metal or wood, featuring a painted or in-laid quilt design. They vary in size and are often affixed to barns, homes, community buildings and gates or fences.
Amy Monk, Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service staff chair and coordinator of the Quilt Trail, said she hopes the grand opening will encourage visitors to explore the beauty and history of the area.
“Our county is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, but it’s also one of the least populated, and one of our primary goals for economic development is to recruit tourism,” Monk said. “And I really think that the general population is hungry for quaint, sentimental, experience-based tourism, and that’s exactly what this is. Come to our beautiful little county, drive around on these little country roads, and see and experience the history and the art.”
Quilt Trail travelers can read about each Montgomery County quilt block on the Arkansas Quilt Trails website, which also contains information about the 20 other county quilt trails throughout the state. A county must have 12 blocks to be considered a part of the Arkansas Quilt Trail.
Visit the Arkansas Quilt Trails website to learn more about the state’s trails and how counties can establish their own. ∆
REBEKAH HALL: University of Arkansas