Barn Quilts of Miami County, Ohio

Martha Washington Star, Laura, Ohio.

Furthering our exploration of the Ohio countryside we decided to do part of the Miami County Barn Quilt driving tour. What are barn quilts? Well, apparently it was started in Adams County Ohio in 2001 by Donna Sue Groves who had an idea to paint a barn quilt sampler and attach it to her barn as she wished to honor her mother and her Appalachian heritage. It grew instead to the plan of the first 'trail' with 20 quilts. Apparently the idea spread to neighboring Brown county and a group of quilters who loved the idea and so on it goes.
The Martha Washington Star above is on a barn built ca. 1880 and is on a Century farm meaning it has been owned by the same family for over one hundred years.

Ohio Star, Troy, Ohio.

 

Miami County has 66 quilts in total. An artist by the name of Rafael Santoyo, originally from Villa Modera, Mexico is the folk artist that has painted these wonderful quilt patterns.
The barn above is also over a hundred years old. The Ohio Star quilt pattern has been in use since the early 1800's.

Algonquin Charm Troy, Ohio.
 

 The majority of the barns that we have found thus far are visible from main roads, though some are far off in the distance. We saw 13 of the 66 on this trip. The Algonquin Charm is on a barn built in 1950.

Evening Star, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.

 Quilt trails have now spread to forty eight states and Canada with over 7000 quilt paintings proudly being displayed. The Evening star quilt above was chosen because it was a favorite of the owners
Grandmother. The barn is post and beam ca. late 1800's.

Country Farm, West Milton, Ohio.

 Miami County was founded in 1807 and has a long history of quilting from its earliest pioneers as I read in the Centennial history of Troy, Piqua and Miami Counties published in 1909. The barn above was also built in the 1800's.

Heart Wreath, West Milton, Ohio.

I love the names of the quilt patterns; Joseph's Coat, Country Farm, Evening Star, Wood Lily and Weathervane, Gaggle of Pinwheels, Snail's Trail, Princess Feather, Wild Zinnias, Patriots, Card Trick, Aviator's Compass, Fall Fancy... so many more to see and discover. Some of the families
chose patterns that they just liked or to represent family members as in the heart wreath above.



Wood Lily, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.
 

Simply made by using exterior latex paint on a plywood signboard and then affixed to the barn. There
are many sites on line now giving full directions for creating your own quilt art.


Maple Leaf, West Milton, Ohio.

I discovered some information on the Miami County website, see link below,(http://homegrowngreat.com/attractions/barn-quilts/)
about the patterns chosen by various families and the histories of the farms; the Maple Leaf above was chosen because the farm has a woods with Maple trees that they tap for syrup.

Beggar's Block, Laura, Ohio.

The name Beggar's Block quilt, also known as Charm or Old Feller's quilts, got it's name because women would ask each other for scraps of cloth to use in their quilts which they collected in order to complete one.



Mexican Cross, Ludlow Falls, Ohio.

Driving through Miami County is a pleasure in of itself; picturesque farms, quaint small towns, and
scenic drives along the rivers, country cemeteries and charming old churches,  covered bridges and
a mixture of architectural style homes from log cabin to Federal style to late Victorian.

Goshen Star, Pleasant Hill, Ohio.

I love how one woman's idea has spread into a true labor of love across the country and beyond. The Goshen Star above is a pattern from the early 1900's.

Weathervane, Covington, Ohio.

Weathervane quilt has a nice story behind it; apparently the barn ca. 1902 originally had a weathervane but it was stolen. The artist decided to give them a weathervane that could not be stolen and painted this one for them.



Joseph's Coat, Covington, Ohio.

This is a two story timber frame bank barn built in the early 1800's and has a stone foundation. The family chose this colorful pattern, Joseph's Coat, as both of their grandmother's were quilters who used similar designs.

On another day we will head out again and continue on our barn quilt tour. We have 54 to go after all!

Bear's Mill

Holly hocks outside the mill.

Last weekend we found ourselves in the car traversing the countryside once again. This time

traveling on the 671. We decided to head up to the 36 to visit a park we heard about and came across this mill instead.

Bear's Mill entrance.

 

This was a happy accident finding Bear's Mill.  Located in Darke County, outside of Greenville, Ohio on Arcanum-Bear's Mill road. The mill was built in 1849 by Gabriel Baer and is now a non-profit. It is one of the oldest water-powered working mills still in existence.

There are four floors to explore and it is a little dizzying for those of us with a problem of heights, especially the top most door that opens to air but it is well worth the climb. I loved the sloping wood floors, the antiques, the hand-hewn beams, just the feel of the building. There is also an art gallery with rotating exhibits and a gift store with all sorts of lovely kitchen and food items as well as stone ground products.

The gristmill is run by water from the Greenville creek just out back. There is a well maintained path that leads through the woods to the creek and to the dam pictured here. A separate millrace water way runs to the mill itself and is 800 feet long, 25 feet wide and 10 feet deep. It was hand dug by school children who were paid 50 cents a day.  A very nice deck overlook is here with a bench to look out over the water. There is also a memorial for the Vietnam vets who did not return from the war. It is located in a beautiful, tranquil spot in the woods.

They have a website and a calendar of events and artists that will be showing in the gallery. Just a lovely destination and one we will return to in the future. Perhaps when we go in search of that park on another day.

Bridging Time

Mound City.





Ohio has one of the largest concentrations of ancient burial mounds in the world and there are a number of parks and areas across the state that protect these precious and sacred sites. Mound City is just outside of Chillicothe, Ohio the original state capitol. It's full name is Mound City Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. The museum has a collection of artifacts found at the site including over 200 carved clay pipes in the shapes of birds, turtles, snakes and human heads all that had been ritually broken. There are 23 mounds enclosed within a low wall also of earth. It is an area of rolling green grass covered mounds surrounded by trees all around. It is very peaceful and calming to walk here, to imagine that people have been coming here for thousands of years.

I suggest seeing the wonderful movie within the museum as it really gives you an overview of the history and the research that has been done upon the mounds and the buildings that were here at one time. It also explains the dynamics of building this site and similar sites that all match identically in shapes and measurements.  The volunteers in the museum are quite gracious and helpful, obviously quite passionate about the park. You can also check out the website Ancient Ohio Trail for information on the whole trail that crosses the state. I can't wait to go to some of the other parks. It was also listed on the Haunted Ohio map as a sacred site.

Buckskin Bridge 1873.

On the way back we decided to drive the back country roads and visited this covered bridge, Buckskin, built in 1873 which has been beautifully restored. It is on Lower Twin Road in the
                                           Appalachian countryside of Ross County. 

Buckskin covered Bridge.

The little township over the rise is South Salem and is the home of the Salem Academy and a wonderful cemetery that we, of course, had to visit. The stone, Federal style academy was built in 1842 and was founded by a Presbyterian minister Hugh Fullerton. It is a historical site.

Salem Academy.

The cemetery has some beautiful carvings and a lot of graves with these rectangular stone bases that were built up. There is also the grave of Mary Morter, who was supposedly the daughter of  Queen Victoria's father, Prince Edward, but it was not proven. Her husband carved a simple stone for her when she died at the age of 34, weakened by her journey to the America in 1852. At the bottom of her stone it says "Think". Does make one think!

We also went looking for this bridge/tunnel which was on the Haunted Ohio map. A bit more difficult to find but we persevered and finally found it on the other side of Chillicothe. Schrader Road tunnel is supposedly haunted by a woman and her crying baby that you can hear if you drive through the tunnel with your windows down. Also reportedly by a woman who hanged herself from the north end of the tunnel. We didn't experience anything but one of the pictures I took did have orbs.

Schrader Road Tunnel.

We spent the better part of the day driving in and around the area and it is quite a lovely part of Ohio. Stopped at a wonderful barbecue restaurant in Chillicothe on East 7th St., called 7 Miles Smokehouse which was fantastic and reasonable. Everyone enjoyed their lunch and left with doggy bags. I had looked up suggestions before we went and I can honestly say that not one of us would have stopped at this restaurant if I hadn't seen they had gotten top ratings. It looks like a dive and has no atmosphere but the food well makes up for it. A little curb appeal would probably serve them well!

Wanderings- Hills Cemetery

Entrance Gate to Hills Cemetery.

All of my life I have been visiting cemeteries. As a child I grew up in New England and my Mom had us out there researching genealogy, doing grave stone rubbings (when you still could), and learning about history. I love the old stones, the symbolic carvings, the atmosphere.  I have visited graveyards from Coast to Coast.

So imagine my delight when a friend recently purchased a map called Hidden Ohio, a guide to all of the haunted sites, big foot sightings, strange creatures, and ancient Native American Indian sites. We have been out exploring most weekends since. The exploration this weekend took us to the tiny town of Thackery, Ohio to Hills Cemetery. Off of State route 55, you take Creek Road North of town and the cemetery is quite a ways down in a wooded area.
                                                                           

We both experienced a very heavy feeling upon entering the cemetery. We spent some time walking
around, many of the stones are unreadable with a heavy mold. A lot of stones are just worn down and
broken. The cemetery is supposed to be haunted by a young girl that was brutally murdered here at the bottom of the hill in the 1970's.

An infant daughter of F & E Kite, Died 1887.

I came across this stone laying on the ground. The infant daughter of the Kite family. It says, "When the trumpet sounds, the dead shall rise." The only history I could find about the cemetery stated it was circa
1830 but I know I saw a few graves from the early 1820's.

Gravestone with Lamb carving.

 

        On our way out I couldn't resist taking a picture of the signs shadow on the road. Off to another.

Shadow of Hills Cemetery gate.

" I am, Harold" - A story of Synchronicity

Book by Harold Igo.

 

Do you ever wonder why things happen the way that they do? I'm speaking of those little synchronistic events that happen occasionally that just make you go hmmm... this is just such a story.

Some years ago I found a packet of 13 letters amongst my Grandmothers papers all tied together with green string, not red ribbon as so many love letters are wrapped in and they were tucked into an old leather suitcase. They were postmarked from 1924 and were all signed by a gentleman named Harold Igo. Every letter closed in the same manner; "I am, Harold". It caught my eye. I almost hesitate to even call them love letters as they are in a way... but at the same time not. An intriguing peek into another time. My Grandmother, Signe Widestrand, was new in the United States having emigrated from Sweden by herself. The letters are an insight into the personality of this man and the spirit of exploration and adventure that this time period so embraced.  I'm actually rather surprised that they didn't get together in the end.
  
    "If I may say that I love you, Signe, you may regard it as an extravaganza and I am sensible
 enough to know that time alone will tell whether we are meant for each other. But in the meantime
can't you regard me as your lover pro tem, your Lochinvar-in-waiting? It would be pleasant to think of me in that way." 

When Grandmother first came to this country she was a governess to a wealthy family in Youngstown, Ohio. I know that Harold was a journalist for a local newspaper there.  I was surprised to learn that she had moved to Pittsburgh, PA as of this letter. He says he misses her and will only be able to see her once a week as the newspaper published 3 editions a day and a Sunday paper. He speaks of his dream " to marry a real woman who can be a real companion as well as a mother to his children and have a little home of his own that shall be a little art center in an aesthetic wilderness."
He speaks of good books, paintings and music. He wants to write a book so that he can be financially independent so that he could travel to the four corners of the world "in search of the story that has never been in print. Can you help me share this vision? Is it too much to ask?" He was drawn to her spirit, "A girl who can come clear across the world hungering for a more abundant life is a girl after my own heart."

So you may ask what is synchronistic about this story so far? Well, I recently moved to Ohio in a rather round-about-way, never even considered it really. As this blog attests I love to explore and one day I decided to "google" Youngstown to see where it was located. I remembered the letters and thought of Harold. Imagine my surprise when I searched his name and it came up as the author of a series of Ghost stories that had been published by the Yellow Springs News originally in 1943 and then compiled by the Historical society into a book. The  town  I had been to recently and it's not too far away. So the next time I was in Yellow Springs I stopped at two local bookstores and no one had heard of the book. So undeterred I stopped at the local library and they had a copy in their reference section! It was now out of print. I copied the introduction and discovered another chapter of his life and a picture. He had lived in Yellow Springs for a few years offering informal acting classes. He was married by this time to a woman named Sarah. He wrote a trilogy of plays called Ohio Doom concerned with the industrial revolution and traveled and wrote in South America. In 1949 they moved to Florida where he was a director of a theater group for many years.  I found he passed away in 1974. My Grandmother lived to be 93 years old and I never remember her speaking of Harold or of his letters but on her deathbed she called out "Igo."

So why should I find Harold now? Perhaps his ghost called out to me to "look him up". The details help me to piece together my Grandmothers life. She was always rather close mouthed about it. She was an independent, artistic and educated woman ahead of her time. Coming to a new country, the eldest of 10 children and the only one that came to the United States. She traveled the world by herself in dangerous times, spoke 7 languages, wing walked on bi-planes, shot rattlesnakes from horseback and loved art and books and music. She met and married my Grandfather, another Swede, in New York City in 1926. They were from towns 30 miles apart in Sweden.

Interesting the paths our lives take; where we end up living, what we end up doing, and who we meet along the way. A new friend here surprised me with a copy of Harold's book for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. She took note of my quest and ordered the one copy she found online. Thank you to her and I can't help but say thank you to Harold. Perhaps he helped in getting me a copy of his book. I'm just glad my path has enabled me to meet Harold in a synchronistic way at last.

Happy to make your acquaintance Harold.
I am,
Noel

Krohn Conservatory- A Bloom in the Garden of Eden

Waterfall in the Krohn Conservatory.

 For my birthday I was surprised with a day trip to Cincinnati and in particular a visit to the Krohn Conservatory. Having been a florist for 30+ years I love all things plant and flower related and the Krohn was truly a delightful place to spend some time.

Greenhouses were on the grounds of Eden park since the 1880's but the current glass and aluminum Art Deco style buildings and greenhouses were built in the early 1930's. Opening day was March 26, 1933 and it was named for Irwin Krohn in recognition of 25 years of service on the Board of Park Commissioners.




Krohn Conservatory from Eden Park.

A winding path pulls you through a rain forest of palm trees, vines, anthurium, croton, banana and papaya trees, Banyan, Dracaena, all manner of exotic plants and flowers. It is a haven of peace and tranquility. A mermaid sculpture peaking through foliage, interesting textures of bark and leaves and the sound of water splashing all lends to a Zen-like experience.

 

 

 

 

Vines hanging from ceiling of greenhouse.

The greenhouses have water features with Koi fish, fountains and a beautiful waterfall.

Another greenhouse houses a lovely display of desert plants and landscape with bright sculpture and cactus, succulents highlighted.

I loved this vertical biophilic garden design piece. It is inspiring. Also there was this rather Asian inspired mobile art piece hanging from the ceiling in the desert  house. It is made entirely of recycled tea bags!

 

Tea bag mobile.


Then we moved on to the Orchid room. They had a lovely collection of  Phalaenopsis, Oncidium and Cattleya orchids along with an impressive collection of Pitcher plants.

 

 

 Unfortunately some of the areas were closed the day we went due to the installation of their annual holiday extravaganza. It looks like a glorious event to see in of itself though.

 After spending an enjoyable time amidst the flora and fauna we climbed higher into Eden Park. Literally named after the Garden of Eden by Nicholas Longworth who owned the property in the mid 1800's the park today spans 186 acres. We had to drive up to the intriguing tower at the top of the hill. An impressive brick building that turned out to be the Romanesque Revival Elsinore Waterworks Tower. A fancy water tower built in 1883 that was inspired by a local production of Hamlet!

Elsinore Tower. Eden Park.
 

Frankly we just ran out of time but the park is one that has a lot to see in its own right and perhaps a return trip in the Spring will be the best for further exploration.

Autumn Walk

Beginning of Ghost Hedge Nature Trail.

This past Sunday was a beautiful Autumn day and the perfect day to explore Sycamore State Park in Trotwood, Ohio. The Fall colors were glowing and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for a walk in the woods. Sycamore Park has over 2,384 acres located in the Wolfe Creek Valley. The trail follows along Wolfe Creek which widens and narrows as you go. Some kind of shaky, railing less bridges here and there.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful old oak trees, maple, ash, Sycamore and many more varieties line the path. The woods were full of birds and busy squirrels. The trails are well marked for hikers, horseback riding and even cross country skiing in the winter. Benches are placed here and there along the trail too. Some on hillsides that probably at one time were overlooks but are overgrown now.

 

 

 

A rock walk across Wolfe Creek.

 

Osage Orange Tree fruit were all over the forest floor. Once in a while you can hear them hit the ground or water and they make quite a thump. Heads up! They would probably knock you out if you got hit in the head with one. Quite heavy and about the size of a softball, 6" diameter fruits. The trees were planted as windbreaks in Prairie states. The trees have thorns and were used as cattle deterring hedges. The tree is also known as hedge apple. Pioneers also used them as insect repellent. They have a citrus-like smell. The fruit have edible seeds that squirrels and deer love. Native Americans used the wood for war clubs and making bows, it is strong and flexible.

 

 

 

Another View of Wolfe Creek.

 

All in all a great park and a great afternoon. This park will be one we return to over and over again.

 

A New Place to Grow

 

 

I find myself "planted" in a new place...who'd ever have thought Ohio? I've never even been to the Midwest, but hey if you are open to change why not? Life's an adventure and I'm looking forward to exploring a new place.

It's so green here and everything is blooming. After living in the High Desert of California and the pine forests of the High Sierra and Texas for 6 months the green is welcoming. It reminds me of New England where I grew up; lilac, honeysuckle, peonies, the green canopy of trees; thick green grass; rain- the sound it makes hitting leaves- a soft sound which is rather comforting especially at night as you lay  in bed listening. Everything seems alive with new growth.

We've been exploring the many parks of Dayton and the surrounding areas. This path led down to a river. It seems to say "come, see what's down here?" It's gentle curve winding down amongst the green, wild columbines here and there and that's what we did. You couldn't help but want to go and see where it led and it was lovely. A wide expanse of river with the trees filtering light above and the smell of wet earth and bird song overhead. Tranquil, restful, healing. The perfect place to walk and just Be. Be a part of the living environment with no distractions, no noise, no stress. Enveloped in a green embrace. Problem is I don't remember which park! Well we will just have to try and find it again and who knows what we will find while we look?