Feature Build at Scott Farm
Arch Bridge Workshop
Arch by Torben Larsen
Women's Dry Stone Walling Workshop
Stone Steps by Michael Weitzner
Instructor Certification Course 2018
Stonework by TJ Mora
Stone Arch Bridge Tour, Southern NH
Small Stone Arch Workshop
Stonework by David Fielder
Intro to Dry Stone Walling Workshop
Stonework by Brian Post
Welcome to The Stone Trust website! To review our 2021 schedule of workshops, click here. Please scroll down to subscribe to our virtual newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy of our 2020 Annual Newsletter, join us as a member!
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
Artist Hugh Pocock contacted us as part of his research into materials apt for fencing about an acre of land, No Man’s Land, fencing to last more than one hundred years. We shared thoughts about the value of stone fences in terms of aesthetics, durability, habitat creation, and low-carbon footprint. We noted that many First […]
Kim Coggin tells us: If you are just getting started in the craft, there are a range of basics tools that you will need. First, I highly recommend a book what we wallers call “the Bible”. It’s Dry Stone Walling: A Practical Handbook by Alan Brooks & Sean Adcock. Outstanding source of information for DIY, wallers, […]
Gerald, from American Stonecraft, got in touch with this message: We are using the same rocks so I think the audience would love learning about us. Indeed, while friends of The Stone Trust harvest stones to build walls, American Stonecraft partners with farmers to harvest stones to turn into functional artifacts in the household landscape. […]
BRIAN POST (Vermont) started building walls at age 10. Brian achieved his DSWA-GB Master Craftsman certification in 2016, 11 years after he took his initial level walling test. In that time Brian also became a licensed landscape architect and started his own firm, Standing Stone LLC. Over the past decade he has served many roles while helping to grow The Stone Trust, including President, Executive Director, and now as Director of Education and Training. He remains committed to sharing dry stone walling expertise and is always learning more himself.
Because so many of our friends take a long-run view of life on Earth, we thought you might like to peruse this article from the American Journal of Public Health: Historical Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic and 1918 Influenza Pandemic.
David F. Wilson came to our attention through Joe Dinwiddie, the most recent guest on his You Tube channel. There, David writes, “… the craft & trade have long noble traditions the time when they were ubiquitous has passed, the skills and knowledge are under threat like at no other time in human History. This […]
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
- 2.20 Retaining wall workshop (4-19-2021)
April 19, 2021
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. PREREQUISITE: any 1.00 level course, or 2.10, or 2.13
- 3.10 Steps & Stairs Workshop (4-19-2021)
April 19, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 1-day workshop attendance
This workshop is all about building dry stone steps. You will learn tips and techniques to build several types of stone steps. Layout, design, stone shaping, tool use, and methods for handling large stones will all be part of this workshop.
- 1.20 Two-Day Introductory Workshop (Outdoor) - April 24 & 25, 2021 (Nashville, TN)
April 24, 2021 - April 25, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 2-day workshop attendance
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 1 & 2 (Mont Vernon, NH)
May 1, 2021 - May 2, 2021
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.
- 1.20 Two-Day Introductory Workshop (Outdoor) - May 1 & 2, 2021 (Mont Vernon, NH)
May 1, 2021 - May 2, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 2-day workshop attendance
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.
- 2.80/3.80 Test Preparation Workshop (May 14, 2021)
May 14, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
This workshop is intended for those planning to take a Level 1 or Level 2 certification test. Learning tips and tricks to help you pass, while you practice build for your test.
- 3-Day Workshop: Feature Build (May 14 -16-2021)
May 14, 2021 - May 16, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Looking for more information and hands on experience building arches, stiles, corners and more? This workshop is for you! Our most advanced workshop for 2020. Participants will be guided through the building of several features that are relatively common in modern landscaping, and are also part of the DSWA-GB Master Craftsman Test. As part of this workshop we will be building several arches, a corner and a squeeze stile.