Dutch Girl at Maple Grove Barn- in Greene County-Tennessee - Painted Barn Quilts on Waymarking.com

The Dutch Doll quilt pattern is depicted on the square hanging on the barn, dubbed “Whistle Pig Barn”, at Maple Grove Farm. This pattern is also known as Sunbonnet Sue, Bonnie Bonnet, or Sunbonnet Babies. Whatever the name, it is one of the most widely recognized quilt block patterns. The wooden square was painted by Janet Carter Smith, great-granddaughter of the original owners of Maple Grove Farm, Roy and May Alexander Johnson. This Dutch doll was lovingly named “May” after the delightful lady who brought her to life in the quilt from which the square was copied. May Johnson was known for her creative talents and her love of color. She crafted the quilt for her granddaughter, Nancy (the quilt square artist’s mother). May and Nancy selected the brightly colored and patterned feed sacks used for this quilt.

Nancy is the current owner of Maple Grove Farm, and the treasured quilt still covers her bed. Nancy continues her grandmother’s tradition of quilting for her family.

Roy and May Johnson purchased the farm in 1915. Roy built the barn in 1916. The lumber was hewn on site with the help of neighbors. The house was completed in 1917. The Johnsons raised dairy cattle, hogs, chickens and peacocks. They farmed and sold tobacco, corn, wheat, and hay. They were very active in their church and community; Roy was a county squire and May served as youth director at Zion Presbyterian church. Interestingly, the farm’s Nolichucky River boundary has been the site of an archeological dig, with the discovery of artifacts of a village established by one of the Woodland Indian tribes.

Visitors to Maple Grove Farm may occasionally catch a glimpse of various members of another family—a family of woodchucks, or groundhogs, has always lived in a burrow under the barn. Being very vocal animals, eliciting a loud, shrill whistle when cornered, these animals are sometimes referred to as a whistle pig here in the Appalachian Mountains. Hence the name of the barn, Whistle Pig Barn.

Your Visit: out in greene county getting these barns Type of Barn: Barn still in use

Visit Instructions:
Please include one picture of the barn with the quilt.

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Date Logged Log   11/25/2009 Countrydragon visited it