Ozark Quilt Trail Launched in Pulaski County

Ozark Quilt Trail launched in Pulaski County June 3, 2016. It is Missouri’s second organized quilt block trail.

Friday, June 3rd, 2016 was an exciting day for the Ozark Quilt Trail project in Pulaski County, Missouri! After two years of research, studying best practices from established quilt trails across the United States, and a lengthy 501 (c) (3) process, the group of eight dedicated volunteers unveiled their first three quilt block installations at the 1903 Route 66 Courthouse Museum (Waynesville), Old Stagecoach Stop Museum (Waynesville), and the Frisco Depot Museum (Crocker). Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony in conjunction with the first unveiling.

1903 Route 66 Courthouse Museum on the Square, in Waynesville, is host to “Four Flags” quilt block. The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public every Saturday, April through September. Admission is free.

The 1903 Route 66 Courthouse Museum’s quilt block pattern is named Four Flags and was chosen to highlight Pulaski County’s patriotism. The Old Stagecoach Stop Museum & Foundation chose the Missouri Star pattern to represent their historical site. This pattern can be considered as a Civil War era pattern- an appropriate fit since the Old Stagecoach Stop was commandeered by Union forces and used as hospital during the War Between The States. The pattern chosen for the Frisco Depot Museum in Crocker celebrates Crocker’s roots as a railroad boom town- and is a tip of the hat to the conductors on the Underground Railroad who risked everything to lead slaves to freedom.

The Old Stagecoach Stop Museum displays the “Missouri Star” quilt block. The museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to the public every Saturday, April through September. Admission is free.

Ozark Quilt Trail consists of Kathi Crawford (President), Denise Seevers (Vice-President), Bonnie Kinkel (Secretary), Liz Duplissie (Treasurer), Alex Fry, Mayor James Morgan, Robin Carpenter, and Laura Huffman. The group will continue installing quilt blocks across Pulaski County and surrounding areas at historic sites, points of interest, and barns.

Quilt Trails are popular in other states and Ozark Quilt Trail is the second established quilt block trail in Missouri. Ozark Quilt Trail members reached out to the first, Barn Quilts of the Boonslick, for advice and best practices. Ozark Quilt Trail will “preserve, present and promote our rural communities roots; honor our farming and family traditions; promote agri-tourism in our county, and bring focus and pride to our downtowns, and public areas. We will educate citizens and visitors on our Ozark Mountain heritage, historic sites, and landmarks.”

The Frisco Depot Museum in Crocker, MO. is home to the “Underground Railroad” quilt block. The Frisco Depot Museum is open by appointment and during Crocker’s annual Railroad Days festival.

The groups focus will first be turned towards historic sites, points of interest, and barns on primary routes throughout the county such as Route 66, Highway 28, Highway 17, and Highway 7. Later, focus will shift to secondary routes such as T Highway, DD Highway, and O Highway, before turning to dirt road thoroughfares within the Pulaski County area.

Ozark Quilt Trail members wish to extend a sincere Thank You and round of applause to Gone To Pieces Quilt Guild who contributed the funds to cover the expenses of the quilt block installation at the Old Stagecoach Stop. If you or your organization would like to host an installation, or nominate a site, please contact Kathi Crawford at 573-433-5645. You can also learn more at the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ozarkquilttrail.