If you are heading east on Merrit Road and get to the stop sign at Aquilla you can’t help but notice a most colorful sight, a beautiful Barn Quilt now graces the barn of Geauga County Pleasant Hill Home, and is the newest addition to the Geauga Barn Quilt Trail.
The 8 ft x 8 ft quilt square was a gift to the county home from the Geauga County Farm Bureau. “We felt the county home farm was a part of our county’s agricultural history and that it should be showcased with a quilt.” said Ed Rumburg Geauga County Farm Bureau President. The pattern is entitled “Laced Star” and was mutually decided on by Rumburg, Karen DiCola, Pleasant Hill Home Administrator; and Reba Dykes who painted the quilt.
The property has been owned by the county since 1839 when the Geauga Commissioners bought the original tract of land, for $2400.00 and spent an additional $698.00 to build the first home. (It was in 1816, that county commissioners were given the authority to build “Poor houses.”) A portion of the original building still stands, but is now used for storage. The original farm house that was on the property when purchased also still stands, and is used as office space.
In the early days, County Homes, known as “Poor Houses”, and later as “Infirmaries”, were working farms with residents helping with daily chores. As times changed, more & more social service programs became available to those in need and County Homes evolved to become either assisted living type homes or nursing homes. Pleasant Hill has chosen to provide assisted living type services.
In the 1880’s, the original building began to deteriorate. By 1885, it was approved to build a new, red brick building at the same location. There have been additions, renovations. Pleasant Hill Home is committed to offering a welcoming, homey place to live for Geauga County’s residents.
Ironically the placement of the Barn Quilt makes it very visible to everyone, except the residents of Pleasant Hills Home, but Karen DiCola has already got that covered. She has purchased a smaller BarnQuilt Square also painted by Dykes to beautify their chicken coop so residents can see it as they do chores and stroll the grounds. This one a patriotic red, white and blue to give the roosters reason to stand up and crow!
The county home is located at 13211 Aquilla Rd, or where Merrit ends into Aquilla. To find out more about the Geauga County Barn Quilt Trail, or to get a Barn Quilt on your barn or business, visit www.GeaugaBarnQuiltTrail.com.
This article is brought to you by Geauga County Farm Bureau
