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.

New Workshop at STONEYARD Inc (Littleton, MA)

Posted February 18, 2019
The Stone Trust has just confirmed a two-day 1.20 Dry Stone Wall workshop to be hosted at Stoneyard, Inc. in their indoor heated warehouse space March 21st and 22nd. Stoneyard Inc. is one the greater Boston area’s largest stone sellers, in business for over 3 decades.



Workshop Participant Build

Posted February 4, 2019
Tom K.  Recently wrote us and sent use these pictures of his project.  He attended the historic rebuild workshop last fall. "Here's a project I'm just finishing up on an 1860 farmhouse which is ancient by California standards. I'm also remodeling the house. The native serpentine I hand gathered, about 15 tons. For hearting I [...]


Stringlines: NH wall map

Posted February 3, 2019
Its a sunny warm day near the end of January. While the leaves are off of the trees, now is a good time to find hidden walls not usually visible in the summer. My wife wishes I would pay more attention to the road while driving but stone just grabs my attention. Last week this [...]


February Waller of the Month: Michael Weitzner

Posted January 31, 2019
MICHAEL WEITZNER (Vermont) builds dry stone structures of all kinds and holds a Master Craftsman certificate from the DSWA-GB. Michael enjoys serving as a regular instructor and examiner for The Stone Trust.



Thank you to our 2018 Annual Appeal Contributors!

Posted January 31, 2019
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to our annual appeal. Because of your generosity we exceeded our goal and look forward to adding new workshops and locations in 2019!



Come see us at the Old House Trade Show, Portland ME

Posted January 24, 2019
Mark your calendars for March 30 & 31, 2019.  The Old House Trade Show put on by Greater Portland Landmarks is back, and The Stone Trust will be there.  Come by our booth to ask questions, sign up for workshops, and even buy tools & books.  We also expect to be giving some stone shaping […]



Old Walls – are they always built well?

Posted January 24, 2019
We recently got an email from Paul G. who was working on rebuilding and old wall around a church that probably dates to the mid 1800’s. There were lots and lots of traced stones such as the one pictured below. Paul Asked if it is common for old walls to have been built using poor techniques? The answer seems to be ‘yes’. Many old walls were built with what we would call poor techniques (so are many new walls too).
This can be due to all kinds of factors, here are a few common ones (note how they also affect modern walls a well):



Japanese Stone Working Tools Now Available

Posted January 10, 2019
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 Presenting at Northern Green (Minnesota)

Posted January 10, 2019
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



Workshop Participant Success

Posted January 2, 2019
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.