Public art, creative displays, and appreciation for a community’s hometown and sense of place have taken on new meaning in recent years.
In response, the Elkhart Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) came up with a unique idea that has continued for more than two decades — and best of all, it’s free.
“Back in 2007, the Elkhart CVB found the original designs and talked to different businesses about displaying them. Today, there are 16 Quilt Gardens across Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Shipshewana, Nappanee, Bristol, and Wakarusa,” said Dorian Roepel, PR manager for Visit Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB.
How It Works
Think of the various quilt patterns and designs, including goosetrack, eight-point star, and sunbeam. Volunteers choose a pattern and plant more than one million plants in each garden to create a beautiful piece of art.
“You won’t see the same pattern in the same location year after year. Volunteers pick one pattern this year and then choose a new one for the next,” Roepel said. “All sorts of people tend to them. We have community partners and business leaders who care for them. The Shipshewana Garden Club was created by a dozen women simply to oversee the two quilt gardens here.”
The question then becomes: How is this massive feat conquered each year?
More than 200 people volunteer to plant, water, weed, and maintain the gardens, and it takes an estimated 2,000 hours to create the experience.
Roepel said annuals work best because they last through the season, with popular choices including begonias and petunias.
The quilt gardens vary in size. Most are around 900 square feet, but Das Dutchman Essenhaus and Dutch Country Market in Middlebury each measure more than 2,000 square feet. Essenhaus’ garden is the largest at 3,142 square feet.
Of the 16 gardens in 2025, six have participated every year, and the map is updated each year with new gardens and others taking a break.
Exploring the Gardens
While the gardens can be viewed from the car, visitors suggest parking and exploring the area. Some gardens even have viewing posts for a bird’s-eye view.
It doesn’t take long to drive the quilt garden itinerary. Maps are available, and a GPS-enabled tool allows visitors to follow the trail from their phones.
In addition to their beauty, the CVB has intentionally positioned many quilt gardens in areas that visitors might otherwise have missed.
Four gardens are located at historical sites: Ruthmere in Elkhart, Krider World’s Fair Gardens in Middlebury, and the Elkhart County Courthouse and Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.
Others are strategically placed near small businesses, shopping, and art districts.
“There’s been a huge economic impact. A lot of locations are outside of the tourist hot spots, and people enjoy that because they can stop by and meet some of the people taking care of the gardens,” Roepel said. “It really brings the community aspect, and visitors enjoy seeing that.”
Visitors from Near and Far
Visitors come from all over the state, the U.S., and even from abroad. Some are drawn by their appreciation of nature, while others are avid quilters eager to visit expert quilters in the area.
In addition to the gardens, don’t miss the quilt murals created by local artist Jeff Stilloson.
“There are 14 of them at eight different locations, and they really harken back to the heritage and culture of this region. It’s another unique way for people to experience the area,” Roepel said.
The murals are displayed on wooden boards near the quilt gardens. Their shelf life is approximately 10 years, and they are removed at the end of each season to maintain their quality. Stilloson also replaces them as needed.
When to Visit
The Quilt Gardens are available hrough Sept. 15.
Roepel said the best thing about the quilt gardens is the collaboration between six towns and the draw that visitors feel to experience everything they have to offer.
“We want people to come out to see and experience Elkhart and LaGrange County. It’s a slower pace of life. You can dine at a nice restaurant, reserve dinner in an Amish home, and take a journey while enjoying live music, history, and our quilt gardens,” Roepel said.
For an itinerary and more information, visit visitelkhartcounty.com/things-to-do/attractions/quilt-gardens.
