Hundreds of drivers pass Gary Weaver’s home on Main Street in Egypt every day, but most likely have no idea what makes his property special.

Weaver has been studying Pennsylvania Dutch barn paintings since 1970. Two large Amish-style structures decorated with Weaver’s artwork are located behind his home.

He is the sixth-generation owner of the Weaver family property at 4706 Main St. The home dates back to the 1860s, with the larger of the two barns completed by his great-great-grandfather in 1897. The smaller, newer barn is being turned into a quilt barn.

Contrary to popular belief, most of the designs that the general public is familiar with in Kutztown and Pennsylvania Dutch territories are not hex paintings. Hexes signify witchcraft.

Most of the designs that are found throughout the Lehigh Valley are for good health and good farming.

“An old Dutchman would actually call this ‘schuurster,’ or barn stars,” Weaver said. “Hex signs didn’t come into effect until the ’50s at the Kutztown Folk Festival.”

On the front of the barn facing the back of his home, Weaver has painted two large designs. On the left, there is an eight-point star. On the right side of the barn, there is a four-point star surrounded by blue tear-shaped drops. According to Weaver, the blue drops symbolize good luck and rain for the crops.

On the inside of the barn, Weaver has created a powwow through cryptic symbols surrounding the trinity.

“A powwow,” according to Weaver, “is the Pennsylvania Dutch version of a medicine man.”

The powwow encourages good health and fertility for cows in the area.

On the back of the barn that faces Hillcrest Lane, Weaver created a six-point rosette with surrounding hearts to signify good luck and romance.

If the right opportunity presented itself, Weaver would be interested in displaying some of his artwork at festivals and local markets. At the moment, his Egypt property is the only place that showcases his work.

“I just want to help preserve a little piece of Pennsylvania Dutch history,” he said.