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.

Master Class: Fat Tony and the Art of Coursing, Part 1

Posted June 15, 2021
Working with slate is not my favourite type of walling. Those not familiar with this specific walling medium seem to think that it should be easy nice flat brick shaped stones… This is of course far from the truth, nothing in walling is that straightforward. -Sean Adcock



Thanks for coming to the 2-Day Intro Workshop! (June 12 & 13, Minneapolis)

Posted June 15, 2021
We had six enthusiastic individuals participate in the first 2021 workshop held at our training site in Isanti, Minnesota. Two of the participants had previous experience working with stone in their landscape business and are looking to improve their stone working skill, two of the participants work in the construction trades as well as farming, [...]


A Tree is Planted (with Feather & Wedges)

Posted June 15, 2021
When a neighbor brought Scott and his wife a beautiful crabapple tree as a living memorial for a loved one who had recently passed, they knew the perfect spot for it. Scott started digging a hole for planting and, as often happens, he soon hit a rock. As he shoveled around it, he unearthed a [...]


June Wallers of the Month: Kim & Jerry Coggin

Posted June 9, 2021
KIM & JERRY COGGIN (Pennsylvania) are the owners of Laurel Stoneworks, located in Johnstown, PA. Both are certified professional Level 2 wallers and instructors through the DSWA-GB



Spring Test Day: May 17, 2021 (VT)

Posted May 24, 2021
text Spring Test Day could not have dawned more beautiful, just the right weather for the special kind of day Test Day feels! People gathered before 8 -- wallers ready to prove their stuff, fellow wallers present to support and quietly cheer them on, examiners and the site coordinator. All gathered peacefully, expectantly near the [...]


Leaving the Wall Better Than You Found It: 3-Day Feature Build, May 14 -16, 2021 (VT)

Posted May 24, 2021
Four participants each built their own feature over the course of three days, selecting an arch, a square corner, a round corner, or a squeeze stile. On day one, instructor Brian Post engaged students in lots of learning and discussion about each feature's structure, purpose, traditional use, and variations. Days two and three involved practical [...]


2-Day Intro and Cheek Ends, May 15 & 16, 2021 (VT)

Posted May 24, 2021
As is often the case, the thirteen people who participated in May's 2-Day Introduction to Dry Stone Walls and Cheek Rebuild arrived with varied experience. Some brought experience handed down from parents, others from dabbling with walls on their property. One brought her landscape architect's perspectives, another the lenses of an architect. Two noted that [...]


Prepping for Spring Test Day

Posted May 24, 2021
The Test Prep workshop on May 14 brought five men, four of whom work as professionals in hardscape/landscape and have done so for many years. The fifth has been immersing himself in learning to build with dry stone as an extension to his professional life as an architect. Instructors Martin Beevers and Dan Morales- Walsh [...]


For Your Convenience, Packs & Sets

Posted May 13, 2021
If you’re new to walling and wondering what information resources and tools would be the most useful, the Beginner’s Walling Pack from our online store might be just the thing. Basic and affordable, it has the essentials to get you started.



May Waller of the Month: Sam Brakeley

Posted May 13, 2021
SAM BRAKELEY (Vermont) is the owner of Hermit Woods Trailbuilders, and has been building stone walls around Vermont and New Hampshire for almost ten years. Sam writes: “In addition to the art and craft of dry stone walling, I love the physical nature of the pursuit. To come home at the end of the day with tired hands and sore muscles…I know I’ve built something. I get a good night’s rest every time!” He is DSWA-GB Level 2 and also instructs at The Stone Trust.