Painter of the Stars: The Life and Work of Milton J. Hill (1887-1972)

Barn star artist Milton J. Hill (1887-1972) of Virginville, Berks County, began his career as a traditional barn painter in 1902 at the age of 14. As a third-generation painter inspired by the art of his father and grandfather, Milton Hill’s work continued a well-established artistic tradition for the decoration of barns throughout the region. As both an artist and innovator, Milton Hill was best known for producing the most elaborate geometric star patterns found in the region, and his signature barn star design is known as the Hill Star today in honor of his unique contributions to the agricultural folk art of the region.

Deeply embedded in the Pennsylvania Dutch farming community of Virginville, Berks County, Milton J. Hill painted barns, houses, wagons, and furniture, while his wife Gertrude Strausser Hill (1895-1978) managed the family farm and dairy operations. Their partnership sustained generations of the Hill Family, and engaged with a broader community of neighbors and extended relations through cooperative farming, as well as the seasonal work of barn painting. The Hill farm was once a prime example of the classic Pennsylvania Dutch family farmstead, embodying the values and aesthetics of the culture.