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 its 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
We have had a number of requests over the years to carry these tools, and we are pleased to announce that we now have them in stock. A bit different than the traditional English or American tools they have a loyal following among some professional stone workers. Before now, they have been very difficult to get in North America.
Dan Snow, one of the founders of The Stone Trust, DSWA-GB and DSC Master Craftsman, and author of In the Company of Stone and Listening to Stone will be presenting at the Northern Green Trade Show in Minneapolis! His presentations are on this coming Wednesday 1/16/19. See below for all the details. For more information on the Northern Green Trade Show and tickets go to https://northerngreen.org
We recently got a great email from Michael Meehan, who has taken several workshops in the past year, been a volunteer, and also gained his DSWA-GB Level 1 Certification. He has been building walls at his property and been doing a fantastic job. It is wonderful when new wallers share their success.
Waza to Kokoro: Hands and Heart professional seminars at the Portland Japanese Garden!
Join us for this intensive seminar that focuses on stonework in the Japanese tea garden. Visiting instructors from Japan as well as Portland Japanese Garden provide hands-on and theoretical instruction in stonework, pruning, bamboo fence construction, history, drawing, design, and tool use – all framed eloquently in the culture of tea.
DAVID INMAN (Maine) is the owner and operator of Deep Cove Stonework. He is a native of Greenville, Maine and now resides in Southern Maine. He found his love for working
with stone in 1998, while under the tutelage of a third-generation finish stone mason on the coast of Maine. David is currently a DSWA-GB Level II Certified Waller as well as a certified
instructor.
The November issue of Masonry Magazine featured Part 1 of an article on dry stone wall building. Written by Brian Post, part one provided an introduction and background to dry stone walling. Unfortunately it went to print before being copy edited… but despite the errors, there is still plenty of sound information. Part 1 also […]
You want to see these pictures! As many of you know The Stone Trust played an active role in the building of one of the 1st buildings at the new Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Fairfield PA. Our role began with design consultation, and progressed to dry stone wall training, certification, and on site quality assessment throughout nearly the entire 4 month build.
The City of Boulder Colorado, Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department has been doing a lot stone work on their trail crews. Hilary Dees (DSWA-GB Level II, Instructor, and Stone Trust professional member) was hired near the beginning of 2018 as a Trail Stewardship Program Lead. Since that time she has been sharing dry stone wall knowledge with her co-workers. She got a training site for city employees set up and worked with The Stone Trust to set up certification test days for DSWA-GB certification… Read More
SAM BRAKELEY (Vermont) is featured for for December in our 2018 Calendar. Sam has been building trails since age eight, and has progressed to complex trail constructions throughout New England. Click through to read more.
The Stone Trust has big plans for 2019 and as 501(c)3 non-profit this is the time of year we ask for your help to fulfill our mission to preserve and advance dry stone walling! Read about out successful 2018 and see the highlights and more! Please make a donation to help support The Stone Trust!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
- 2.13 Contractors Workshop
March 29, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is perfect for the landscape contractor interested in starting to build dry stone walls, or expand that line of work. In addition to the hands on building of a wall, there will be discussions of good work practices, pricing walls, proper foundations, etc.
- 1.11 Women's Introductory Indoor Workshop 4/13/19
April 13, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop attendance
A chance to learn from the women in North America who are DSWA Certifed Instructors! This workshop is an excellent introduction to dry stone walling for the homeowner, landscaper/gardener, artist, or hobbyist. Over the course of the day each participant will build about 25 sq ft of wall (one side), using natural round fieldstone. You will learn all the basic rules of structural walling that can be applied to any type of stone and project.
- 1.10 Introductory Indoor Workshop 4/14/2019
April 14, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is an excellent introduction to dry stone walling for the homeowner, hobbyist, or anyone interested in Dry Stone Walls Over the course of the day each participant will build about 25 sq. ft. of wall…
- 3.10 Steps & Stairs Workshop (4/27/19)
April 27, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop attendance
This workshop is all about building dry stone steps. You will learn tips and techniques to build several types of stone steps. Layout, design, stone shaping, tool use, and methods for handling large stones will all be part of this workshop.
- 2.80/3.80 Test Preparation Workshop (4/27/19)
April 27, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is intended for those planning to take a Level 1 or Level 2 certification test. Learning tips and tricks to help you pass, while you practice build for your test.
- 3.20 Flagging Workshop (4/28/19)
April 28, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1 day workshop attendance
Have a patio or walk way to build? This is the workshop for you!
Learn the fundamentals of patio construction in a fun, energetic, hands-on environment. While not strictly dry stone walling, flat-work is a common part of many projects. Doing a good job starts with a good foundation, and finishes with an attractive pattern of stone. This workshop will teach you how to do flat-work that stays flat and attractive for decades.
- Spring Certification Test: Friday, 5/3/2019
May 3, 2019
8:15 am - 6:30 pm
- 1 Day attendance
Testing Levels Initial, Intermediate and Advanced (Part B). Friday, May 3, 2019. NOTE: You must hold the previous level certification to sign up for any test above level 1. THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, March 20th! NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.