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.

First in Pennsylvania: Women’s Introduction to Dry Stone Walling!

Posted October 19, 2021
On October 10 the weather was slightly overcast and the temperature was mild for the first Women’s Introduction to Dry Stone Walling held in Pennsylvania. Three women, ranging in age from 36 to 65 arrived from Maryland to learn the five basics of dry stone construction techniques. After a brief overview, everyone experienced some quality [...]


If you listen, stone walls have a story to tell

Posted October 13, 2021
After our last big medley weekend of workshops is over and with days getting shorter, grab a good book to read during those long, dark evenings. If you look closely at the books in our online store, hidden among the assortment of ‘how-to’ books, you’ll find two gems on the history of stone walls. The [...]


Master Class: ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ (Part 2)

Posted October 12, 2021
Continue with the 2nd part of David Wilson’s piece ‘Exit Through the Gift shop’



October Waller of the Month: Fran Hammond

Posted October 12, 2021
FRAN HAMMOND (Pennsylvania) is a DSWA-GB Level 2 certified waller and owner of Morning Dew Stonework and Landscape.


Events & Items of Interest, October 13, 2021

Posted October 11, 2021
Participant Submission: Foo Larkin's Living Walls Operations Manager Theresa Spear tells us, "Foo bought some tools from us and mentioned a project he was working on. I said I 'd be interested in seeing pics. He just sent these and I thought they were very unique looking. They might be interesting to include in our [...]


Thanks for coming! 2-Day Intro and Cheek Rebuild Workshops, Oct 9 & 10 (MN)

Posted October 11, 2021
Hello everyone, I just wanted to send a quick thank you to all of you for participating in the workshop this weekend. For those of you interested in acquiring stone working tools, I encourage you to order them through the Stone Trust website at https://thestonetrust.org/store/ .  The funds assist The Stone Trust with our mission [...]


Thanks for coming! 2-Day Intro + Cheek End: September 25-26, 2021 (VT)

Posted October 1, 2021
On two beautiful late September days, fifteen men and women gathered at the Stone Trust Center in Dummerston, Vermont to learn the five basic rules of dry stone walling. Four others came to apply those principles to building vertical wall ends, also known as cheek ends. You came from near and far--Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, [...]


2-Day Intro & Cheek End: Sept. 18 & 19, 2021 (TN)

Posted September 30, 2021
Well it rained and it rained from pretty much start to finish. By 10:00 AM on Saturday I was ready to call it. The truth of the matter is, the Nashville site is very close to the Harpeth river and flooding isn't uncommon. After we lost two canopies to the deluge I gave everybody the [...]


Certifying as a Waller Is No Mean Feat!–Fall Test Days 2021

Posted September 28, 2021
It takes brave souls to test their walling skills against the Dry Stone Walling Association's Craftsman Certification Scheme. Each of you fit training into busy lives full of work, family, friends, community obligations, celebrations and losses. Some of you drove 2000 miles, others 400. A few of you live relatively close to the Stone Trust [...]


Master Class: ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ (Part 1)

Posted September 17, 2021
Illusion and mystery are part of Banksy’s schtick…however as an intellectual starting point it is thought provoking and throws up some interesting aspects around the issues of appropriation and motivation. What does it contribute to creating work that is real and authentic?