5th Annual
Historic Barns & Quilts Tour
Enjoy an early autumn day on the beautiful winding back
roads of Freeport at our 5th Annual Historic Barns & Quilts tour sponsored by Freeport Historical Society.
On Saturday, October 4th, from 9:00am till 3:00pm this
unique event will feature visits to four interesting barns which span the
building period of the mid-1800’s to the 1920’s.Vintage and antique quilts
selected to coincide with the timeframe of each barn will be on display and be
discussed.
Leading the tours are quilt expert, Bonnie Dwyer and barn expert,
Don Perkins.
Highly- regarded quilt historian, appraiser, and educator,
Bonnie Dwyer, will share here vast knowledge of vintage quilts and the world of
quilting. Through the displayed vintage quilts we will deepen our understanding
of the economic role of women and how quilt patterns and styles reflect local,
regional, and national events. As the very fabric of rural life, quilts reflect
the economy, personal choice, and necessity of life. If you think quilts are
just pretty, decorative coverings, then this part of the tour will change your
mind. You’ll end this tour with a new appreciation of quilts, the stories they
have to tell, and our textile history.
Don Perkins is an educator and author of the recently
published book, Our Barns: A History of Barns in Maine. Don
will discuss the historic roles of barns in the evolution of farmsteads and how
northern New England economics of mixed farming and home-industry created a
unique architectural response. Our tour will examine the shifts in barn
construction and how those shifts related to the evolving economic challenges
facing farmers in our area.
The social, cultural and economic lives of those who lived
in coastal Northern New England will be further illuminated through an
examination of barns and quilts.
At 9am the event begins with coffee and orientation at Linda
Bean’s Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern, located at Main and Bow Streets in
downtown Freeport. After touring the final barn, we’ll conclude the afternoon
with a lively program of traditional American music by talented guitarist Dave
Peloquin and vocalist Helen Richardson taking place at the handsome and
impressive timber frame shop of Houses & Barns by John Libby. Cider and
donuts and a tour of the barn, Rt. 136,
True Road
in Freeport, is included. Lunch is
brownbag. Bring a folding chair or blanket and we’ll eat on a local farm field.
Freeport Historic Barns & Quilts Tour is a fundraiser of
Freeport Historical Society. Event sponsors are Houses & Barns by John Libby,
Mariners Compass Quilt Shop, and Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern.
Tickets are $40.00pp through Sept 15th. From Sept
16th to October 3rd tickets are $45.00pp. Because this event has
sold out in all years, tickets must be purchased in advance. Online you may
purchase via Mastercard, VISA or your paypal account at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org (hit the
Online donation button, enter your ticket amount, and send) or by check (mail
to
45 Main Street, Freeport, ME04032
.) FMI: 207-865-3170 or www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org
The event has sold-out each year! Don’t be disappointed-
reserve today. FMI: Contact Freeport Historical Society at (207)865-3170 or info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org.
