Fall 2016 Certification Day
Stonework by Jo Hodgson
Women's Dry Stone Walling Workshop
Stonework by Jared Flynn
Photo by Ron Kantor
Irish Fedien Wall Workshop in Progress
Stonework by Jared Grant
Dry Stone Walling Workshop
Stonework by Brian Fairfield
Built with assistance from several certified wallers
Dry Stone Walling Workshop
Welcome to The Stone Trust
Established in southern Vermont in 2010, The Stone Trust’s mission is to preserve and advance the art and craft of dry stone walling. We do this through an expanding program of educational events and outreach projects. The Stone Trust is a multifaceted resource engaged in preserving the natural use of plentiful stone in simple, gratifying ways.
The Stone Trust Center is the only facility in North America that provides year round educational and DSWA certification opportunities for all levels and abilities. The Stone Trust is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. It relies on contributions from people like you to keep it’s programs going. Help us continue to preserve and advance the art and craft of Dry Stone Walling!
Quick Links
- Looking for hands-on training to build dry stone walls? Click Upcoming Workshops
- Want to become a Certified Dry Stone Waller? Click Upcoming Certifications
- Looking for a contractor to build a wall? Click Certified Wallers
- Want to read up on the basics of dry stone walling? Click How to Build Walls
- Looking for amazing photos of dry stone walls and features? Click Photo Gallery
- Are you an Architect, Landscape Architect, Engineer or Designer looking for specifications for dry stone walls? Click Design Information
Support The Stone Trust
Your support makes our work possible. Please consider helping us preserve and advance the craft of dry stone walling by making a donation today. Thank you.
From the Blog
Kim and Jerry Coggin (Pennsylvania), own and operate Laurel Stoneworks which is located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands are of South central PA. Laurel Stoneworks specializes in the art and craft of dry aid stonework. Kim has been working with dry stone for over eight years. Both Kim and Jerry currently hold Level Two Certificates from the Dry Stone Walling Association…
Check out photos from our September walling workshop!
Check out photos from our September flagging workshop!
Peter Isherwood, from Lancashire England, will be coming to instruct and examine for the first time in Sept 9 – 11, 2017. He Is one of England top wallers and serves on the Craft Skills Committee of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain which governs the certification program. Your chance to learn from Peter is around the corner. Click here to register.
On Saturday Sept 9th, at 7pm Peter will be giving a presentation about his work in event room (Apple Packing Barn) on Scott Farm. The presentation is open to the public and free (though a small donation to the stone trust is suggested). With lots of slides of Peter’s work from England and elsewhere this presentation is sure to leave you great ideas for your walling projects, and a desire to go visit England.
Peter Isherwood, from Lancashire England, will be coming to instruct and examine for the first time in Sept 9 – 11, 2017. He Is one of England top wallers and serves on the Craft Skills Committee of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain which governs the certification program. Your chance to learn from Peter is around the corner. Click here to register.
On Saturday Sept 9th, at 7pm Peter will be giving a presentation about his work in event room (Apple Packing Barn) on Scott Farm. The presentation is open to the public and free (though a small donation to the stone trust is suggested). With lots of slides of Peter’s work from England and elsewhere this presentation is sure to leave you great ideas for your walling projects, and a desire to go visit England.
The Stone Trust has worked with the Latches Hotel to give Stone Trust participants a special rate while attending our events in September. Available for September 8-11 the Latches will give Stone Trust participants a rate of $115 per night (+tax). This is a 25% discount on the regular rate for September. The well appointed rooms have a single queen sized bed, though other options may be available.
To book your room call (802) 254-6300. If you book online at http://www.latchishotel.com. When they book through the website, the discount rate will not show up, so they should mention they are with The Stone Trust when they check in, and we will apply the discount. If they book through a booking engine like Expedia or Booking.com, we cannot offer the discount at all, so please have them call or book direct.
As I drove along back roads in Connecticut, I noticed the old stone walls marking the boundaries of grassy fields, but in Mark Mennin’s driveway, huge sections of fluted marble columns, five feet tall and five feet wide, were carefully arranged along the edge. This turned out to be just one example of many collected treasures that crowd into Mark’s back yard. I opened my car door and stood there for a moment, intrigued, as I surveyed huge stones resting everywhere and thought to myself, here is yet another artist who declares his love of material by amassing great quantities of stone.
Many of the granite blocks had been hand selected for a specific project. Others found their way to Mark’s back yard by chance. People who know his work call when they come across a unique find, confident he can put any stone to good use. Mark has personal relationships with quarries all over the world and has formed lasting friendships with many stone yard foremen and managers. He had a story to tell about each slab and block he introduced me to, as if I was meeting his best friends. His enthusiasm for the unique qualities of stone kept me enthralled and engaged for more than an hour.
SAM BRAKELY (Vermont) Sam has been building trails since age eight, and has progressed to complex trail constructions throughout New England. Sam’s trail building work led him to working with stone, and he has been building dry stone walls for more than 5 years. Having taken many prior workshops at The Stone Trust, Sam is now DSWA-GB Level 2 Certified as well as a Certified Dry Stone Walling instructor. http://hermitwoodstrailbuilders.com
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
- Site Prep Workshop at Eureka Rd 10-6-17
October 6, 2017
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Workshop Level: 1. Up to 16 participants with Learn how to rebuild a historic field wall in a beautiful Vermont setting. Advanced certified (DSWA Level 3) wallers, Brian Fairfield and Matt Carter, will be the instructors. Both from Maine, Brian is the leading force behind the “Best of Show” builds at the Boston Flower Show for the last three years, and Matt is one of the key builders of the exhibits. Participants will be guided through all aspects of rebuilding a dilapidated field wall using the local field stone. This workshop is an excellent introduction to dry stone walling for the homeowner, hobbyist, or anyone interested in Dry Stone Walls. Workshop participants will learn the needed site preparation for building a wall. Participants will be lead through discussions of sourcing and selection stone to use, and preparing the foundation. For the better part of the day, participants will be learn from and be working along side the instructors setting up batter frames and sorting stone for building.
- Two Day Workshop Eureka Rd: Level 1& 2 (10/7&8/2017)
October 7, 2017 - October 8, 2017
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Learn how to rebuild a historic field wall in a beautiful Vermont setting. Advanced certified (DSWA Level 3) wallers, Brian Fairfield and Matt Carter, will be the instructors. Both from Maine, Brian is the leading force behind the “Best of Show” builds at the Boston Flower Show for the last three years, and Matt is one of the key builders of the exhibits. Participants will be guided through all aspects of rebuilding a dilapidated field wall using the local field stone.