Discover Bath Barns

03/23/2026

The Bath Township Heritage Corridors of Bath Committee, through the Discover Bath Barns Committee, is pleased to announce the launch of the Quilting: 250 Years of Spirit; contest, a creative initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Community members are invited to submit an original 12-inch by 12-inch quilt design which reflects themes of historical legacy, civic pride, and the resilient spirit of the Bath Township community, while aligning with the national America 250 commemoration.

The winning quilt square will be announced on June 6 during the Bath Township America 250 Celebration. This contest has been generously supported by Bath Township and through the Bath Community Fund AM250 Impact Grant.

More details can be found on the flyer, by visiting the Discover Bath Barns website at www.bathtownship.org/DiscoverBathBarns, or by emailing [email protected]

02/10/2026

Join us for our 2nd Annual Quilt Workshop, led by local barn quilt experts Chuck Rankin and Mike Bingham. You'll gain hands-on experience using simple step-by-step instructions to paint a beautiful geometric 2'x2' barn quilt to display in your home or outside on the side of your barn or garage. This 2-part workshop begins March 19, with a Registration required.

Two-part Workshop dates, March 19th and April 11th.
Cost is $20 per person. Limited to 20 participants.
Please Scan the QR code found on the flyer, or visit https://bathtownship.recdesk.com/Community/Program

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving holds a special significance for farm families, representing more than just a meal; it is a celebration of the land, the labor, its barn filled with livestock, and the individuals who make it all possible.

For those who are not farmers, your home is enriched with cherished memories over the years, and your Thanksgiving tradition always includes a moment of gratitude.

Discover Bath Barn extends wishes for an abundance of blessings to everyone this Thanksgiving!

10/14/2025

The Wayside Exhibit installed in 2015 by the Heritage Corridors of Bath committee has a new wayfinding sign which sits in the Heritage Corridors of Bath Wayside Exhibit located at 950 N Cleveland Massillon Rd. The new sign spotlights the Heritage Barns of Bath Trail, a scenic 19-mile drive with 9 stops. The self-guided trail features historic 19th century rural heritage locations including numerous barns, hamlets, parks, and many century homes and structures.

The sign was made possible by a generous grant from Bath Community Fund, and support from Bath Township and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Launched by the Discover Bath Barns Committee, the trail fuses heritage tourism with hometown pride; boosting local business while honoring Bath’s rural roots. Designed to complement existing exhibits, the sign helps visitors navigate the route and soak in the township’s timeless and rural charm.

Read more about the Bath Scenic Byway at https://www.scriptype.com/2025/01/31/wayside-exhibit-marks-ten-years-as-scenic-byways-gateway/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNbHYdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtjwflqkg1ZRI0UUeogrGJm4E7jRoE45T3kjkergsHJ1nkRwSprLgeCSNIZg_aem_wF9GW_1LQSmRvJ5L1jAPEA

09/05/2025

How do the Amish build a barn in a day?

Jim Smucker, President of The Keim Company , and Marcus Yoder, Executive Director of the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center and the Ohio Amish Library, shared the answer at Nancy and Dan Fay's Barker Barn as part of Discover Bath Barn's August 2025 Speaker Series - they have a community "frolic!"

It could be a new barn for a young family or rebuilding a barn after a natural disaster, but on barn raising day, hundreds of Amish - young and old - will gather together early in the morning for a work party, and they don't stop until the barn is completed, which is usually by dinner time! The concept of a "frolic" for the Amish is simply a group effort where community members come together, without expectation of payment, to help a family complete a large task that would be difficult or impossible to accomplish alone.

Thank you, Jim and Marcus, for your phenomenal presentation!

09/02/2025

We look forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new visitors to Discover Bath Barns' final Summer Speaker Series event the evening of September 9th, where Timber-Framer, Rudy Christian, president of Christian & Son, will discuss the conservation and restoration of histortic barns.

Spots are still available https://bathtownship.recdesk.com/Community/Program

Learn more about our speaker, by visiting https://www.planexus.com/rudy

08/28/2025

Discover Bath Barns 2025 winning design, "Yellow Creek Feathered Star" by Barbara Whit in our Quilt Square Competition has been prominently displayed on the Welton Barker Barn, owned by Michele Anderson, thanks to the installation work by Mike Ackerman from Michael's Workshop, Inc..

Barbara's design was meticulously painted by Walt Kominski and is available for viewing by visitors on Wye Road in Ghent Square, Bath Township, Summit County.

07/23/2025

The Bath Township Historical Society in Summit County and the Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office will sponsor a Building Doctor Clinic for old-building owners in and around Bath Township on Aug. 6-7, 2025.

It begins with a free seminar from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, in the conference room of the Bath Township Administration Offices, 3864 West Bath Road, Akron. Open to all old-building owners in the area, the seminar will feature guidelines for renovation projects and ways to solve the most common problems of buildings dating from 1800 to 1960.

On Thursday, Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Building Doctors will visit pre-1960 buildings in Bath Township and nearby communities, advising owners on specific technical or design problems by appointment. They will examine all kinds of old buildings, including homes, commercial buildings, churches, public buildings, and barns. Some things that typically call for an on-site examination include persistent peeling paint or flaking plaster, a wet basement, deteriorating masonry and plans for remodeling, additions or demolitions.

If you are interested in attending the seminar and on-site consultations, they are free, but you will need to register: go to https://www.ohiohistory.org/preserving-ohio/history-preservation-where-you-live/building-doctor/ or call 614-298-2000.

Building Doctors teach old-building owners how to recognize and solve problems

07/21/2025

Bath-Richfield Kiwanis completed Discover Bath Barns Heritage Barns Trail -- a 9-stop, 19-mile circular route within Bath Township, which is part of the existing byway, designed to preserve barn heritage while providing an opportunity to inform and educate the byway travelers of our rich past.

Have you toured the barn trail? We'd love to hear about it!

Email [email protected]

Kiwanians know how to have fun and learn about our communities!

07/17/2025

This past weekend, in celebration of National Barn Day, Walt Kaminski and Barbara Whitt presented the barn quilt to the Welton Barker Barn owner, Michele Anderson, which will be installed on the barn in the near future.

Artist Walt Kaminski unveiled the vibrant design, inspired by Barbara Whitt’s quilt square design entitled, “Yellow Creek Feathered Star” which was the winner of the 2025 Discover Bath Barns quilt square competition. Whitt stated, “Each geometric shape and bold color were carefully chosen to reflect the spirit of the barn and lines/design of the square representing the twisting roads through the Bath hills.” Kaminski added, “There is a strong symbolism behind the pattern, noting how it honors both the barn’s history and the community’s rural heritage.” With heartfelt gratitude, the barn owner and local business owner Michele Anderson added, “The artwork will be a prominent visible legacy to the history of Ghent and Bath Township and a lasting legacy to my family’s roots in the community.”

Pictured in photo: Michele Anderson, Welton Barker Barn Owner; Barbara Whitt, designer; James McClellan, President Discover Bath Barns Committee; Walt Kaminski, Barn Quilt Artist.

07/15/2025

Phil McLean, President of Sensible Products Inc. and Retired Village of Richfield Fire Chief, as well as a member of the Discover Bath Barns Committee, celebrated National Barn Day by creating a unique banner which was displayed on his antique fire truck proudly showcased on the lawn of his Hammond's Corners property.