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
- 1.20 Two-Day Introductory Workshop (Outdoor) - May. 4 & 5, 2019 (Dummerston, VT)
May 4, 2019 - May 5, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is perfect for the homeowner, landscaper, mason, or enthusiast looking to start learning about how to build dry stone walls, or to improve your skills.
- 2.40 Cheek End Workshop (Outdoor) - May. 4 & 5, 2019 (Dummerston, VT)
May 4, 2019 - May 5, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Whenever your building a wall, sooner or later it must come to an end. A cheek end is the typical way to end a wall. It is also called a wall end, wall head, or square end. Cheek ends are a particular challenge to build well and structurally are the most vulnerable part of a wall, so it is important to get it right.
- 3.30 Walling Skills Intensive (4 Days) - May 20-23, 2019 (Mont Vernon, NH)
May 20, 2019 - May 23, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 3.30 workshop attendance
The Walling Skills Intensive (WSI) workshop is intended for the intermediate waller who desires to test for Level 2. Gain the needed skills, practice building to the required standards and speed, and get a mentor to help you gain certification.
- 1.10 Introductory Workshop 1-day (6/1/19)
June 1, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop
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…
Participants will be lead through setting foundation stones, building and hearting, setting throughstones, and copes!
- 2.50 Intro to Stone Shaping 6/2/19
June 2, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-Day workshop
This workshop will spend the day learning about how to shape stones for use in dry stone walls. Participants will be introduced to a variety of stone types, and how to work with them. Both hand and power tools will be demonstrated and used. The stone shaping portion will focus on efficient practices, learning how to look at a stone and judge how to shape it, as well as proper use and care of tools.
- 2.20 Retaining wall workshop 6/2/19
June 2, 2019
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop attendance
Participants will learn how to maximize strength for a retaining wall while following the basic rules. Foundations, drainage, perforated pipe, filter fabric, geo-textiles and more are all discussed or demonstrated. This workshop is intended to give you the information to make wise decisions on your own projects. It is well suited for both homeowners and contractors.