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.

Instructors Build Walls for Social Distance, July 4 Volunteer Day

Posted July 6, 2020
Many thanks to the professional wallers who gave of their time and expertise on the Fourth of July to make it possible for The Stone Trust to safely teach people to build structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing stone walls. Over the years, each of them has supported us in many ways, as founders, board members, professional [...]


Keeping Apace With COVID-19: Workshops in July and Newly Scheduled for October

Posted June 26, 2020
Last Wednesday Brian Post, Jared Flynn, and I met at The Stone Trust Center in Dummerston, Vermont to review plans to incorporate social distancing into our workshop instruction. Scott Renault, the new General Manager of Scott Farm where our many of our workshops take place, joined us. It takes us all to assure that we [...]


Meet Jordan Keyes, Board Member

Posted June 25, 2020
Many thanks to fellow board member Paul Peterson for interviewing Jordan and writing this profile. Jordan joined the board of The Stone Trust (TST) in May 2019. He is a member of the management team of Trow & Holden Company, a manufacturer of stone cutting tools in Barre, Vermont. Trow & Holden services the diverse […]


Events and Items of Interest, June 30

Posted June 25, 2020
An article in The Guardian's June 10 edition brought our attention to the ancient stone work in the Chaco Cultural National Historical Park in New Mexico. Looks like it is not dry stone work. Still it's amazing! Worth a visit!

Events and Items of Interest, June 22

Posted June 22, 2020
Workshop in Minnesota Check out our 2-Day Introduction to Dry Stone Walling in Isanti, MN on July 18 and 19. If you find that location convenient, you can learn from Advanced Waller Dan Peterson, instructor, professional member, and board member of The Stone Trust. October Workshops Added Many people registered for workshops in our July […]



July Workshops and Looking Ahead

Posted June 19, 2020
A number of people registered for our July 11 Introduction to Dry Stone Walls and our 4-Day Medley of Dry Stone workshops have responded to last week's article providing Cross State Travel Information. Some have expressed disappointment that they won't be able to come to Vermont in July. Others are waiting to see how the [...]


Update: Follett Stone Arched Bridges Restoration Project

Posted June 19, 2020
We offer this update from Stone Trust founder, certified instructor, master craftsman, and professional member Michael Weitzner, who provides the expertise and labor to restore the Follett Stone Arched Bridges. For background information, please see the original article by Charlie Marchant, President of the Townshend Historical Society. This project has unfolded over more than 45 [...]


Feathers and Wedges: Sizing Holes, Stuckness, and More

Posted June 19, 2020
Brian Post shares shares additional tricks and techniques when working with feathers and wedges (aka wedges and shims) to split stone.  This detailed video is a great supplement to the Detailed guide to using feathers and wedges video. This video provides additional information about the hole sizes when using feathers and wedges, what to do if your feathers and wedges get stuck in the stone, and much more.  Watch as we work large blocks from an abandoned quarry into great pieces for wall ends and troughs, each about 1/16 of the original block.



June Waller of the Month: Fran Hammond

Posted June 15, 2020
FRAN HAMMOND (Pennsylvania) is a DSWA-GB Level II Certified Waller and owner of Morning Dew Stonework and Landscape. Fran loves the harmony that can be created with natural stone and plant material.



July Workshops and COVID-19

Posted June 12, 2020
Dear friends of The Stone Trust, We want to update you about travel to Vermont and to apprise you of changes in our July workshop formats necessary to create conditions for health safety. Please understand that we are working with the most recent information available to us. As you know, changes happen almost daily. We [...]