July 9 promised plenty of rain, so it was a good thing that vaccinations have made it possible for The Stone Trust to return to teaching in our Indoor Training Center in the foundation of the Scott Farm’s 1862 Barn. Thirteen men and one woman, mostly from New England, arrived to to learn the fundamentals of building an enduring double-faced dry stone wall. One family came from Pennsylvania. A career-changer traveled from Olympia, Washington to garner a range of dry stone work knowledge to apply to his planned endeavors. About half workshop participants brought some hands-on experience building with stone. About half came with no stated experience. Virtually all reported having learned what they need to know to practice and apply the 5 basic rules of dry stone walling to their projects.
Instructors Ben Maron and Robert Faraone, supported by volunteer instructor Judy Rand, guided the group throughout the course of the 9 to 5 day. Lunch time presented the opportunity for waller-teachers to show their tools and discuss how to use them. At the end of the day, Rob demonstrated how to shape stone with tools.
Some of you expressed the desire for more instruction in stone shaping during the workshop day. We’d love to! But we find that there is only so much that can be squeezed into a one-day workshop, so we offer the two-day version with more instruction and practice shaping stone. Anyone looking to learn the multiple techniques for shaping varieties of stone, please feel free to join us at Introduction to Stone Shaping, October 24, Mont Vernon, NH.
Thanks to everyone for making the trip to Dummerston, Vermont. Every person who learns and practices dry stone walling helps preserve and advance the craft. We appreciate you sharing our mission.