Dummerston Hiking Trails: Dry Stone Workshop

On Saturday morning, October 22, about 15 people gathered at the Dummerston Town Pound for the start of a day-long Workshop on dry stone walling. Workshop instructors Dan Snow (Dummerston) and Dave Goulder (Scotland) welcomed eleven participants from all over the northeast.

Thanks to Lynn Levine for talking with participants about local ecology. Thanks to Jared Flynn for serving as Workshop steward. Thanks to the Town of Dummerston for welcoming the day's hikers.

35 Feet Added!

Ingredients: 

A baker's dozen of energetic participants.

Inspiring outdoor site, complete with classic Vermont views.

Two days of wonderful weather.

Two fine instructors.

Stone. Plenty of stone.

Result: A wonderful Dry Stone Walling Workshop that added 35 feet of wall, four feet high, to the ever-lengthening wall across from the Dutton Farm House in Dummerston, VT.

Special thanks to the following for their support: 

Workshop steward: Joshua Barwick

Workshop instructors: Jared Flynn, Andrew Pighills

Dutton Farm House hospitality: Landmark Trust USA, Scott Farm

Bravo to all!

Preparing for the final course.

Instructor Andrew Pighills. On the line.

Sunday afternoon. That sense of satisfaction.

Fall Test Day

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 9:00 am
Dummerston, VT
Certified examiners: Dave Goulder (Scotland), Dan Snow (US)
For wallers seeking certification (Levels I-IV) from the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.
Cost: varies depending upon Level.
For information or to register: Zon Eastes, zon.eastes@thestonetrust.org, 802.380.9550

Open House: Sunday, June 12

The Stone Trust Center. Lower floor of 1862 barn.

You are welcome to join us at an Open House of The Stone Trust Center on Sunday, June 12, 1-4 pm.
The Center is located on Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Road in Dummerston, VT.

Come see what we've been doing! TST board members will be on hand to show the facility and to answer questions. Lemonade and treats for all. Families welcome.

New News: Fall Workshops

A fall view.

The Stone Trust just passed its one year anniversary. So, we are very proud to announce two Fall Outdoor Workshops! 

Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18, 2011
Dutton Farm Road, Dummerston, Vermont 
Instructors: Andrew Pighills, Jared Flynn

Fee: $300 (Two days)

The two-day hands-on workshop is designed to teach homeowners and tradespeople the structural techniques involved in building and restoring a historic field stone wall. The outdoor classroom provides the setting for practicing proper dry stone walling methods including safety, batter, hearting, throughs, and coping. Included in the workshop will be the age-old technique of splitting stone by use of pin and feathering. Knowledge gained will prepare students for their own projects and help train their eyes to identify proper walling techniques in all walls.

To register: contact Zon Eastes, 802.380.9550.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Dummerston Hiking Trails, Dummerston, Vermont

Instructors: Dave Goulder, Dan Snow

Fee: $150 (One day)

Learn basic dry stone walling skills under the direction of two DSWA Mastercraftsmen. Dave Goulder, from Scotland, and Dummerston resident Dan Snow will instruct this one day workshop in the rebuilding of an old stone fence. Building a gate-end and set of steps will also be included.
Note: For this workshop, enrollment is limited to ten participants. First come, first served.
To register: contact Zon Eastes, 802.380.9550.

The WRAP on the May Workshop

From one participant: 

"Thanks for the Workshop. It really was a terrific way to spend a weekend, whether I ever stack another stone or not."

Special thanks to the following for their support: 

Workshop sponsor: The Works, Richard French, owner

Site setup: TJ Mora

Workshop steward: Brittny Tyler

Workshop instructors: Jared Flynn, Andrew Pighills, Brian Post

Dutton Farm House hospitality: Landmark Trust USA, Scott Farm

And thanks to all the participants for believing in historic preservation of dry stone walls. 

Throughstones go onto the wall.

Day Two: May Workshop

Rainy day, all day, but spirits were up. 25 more feet completed on this 900 foot wall. Today, the crew increased by one: Brittny Tyler, the first female to be certified in North America. Thanks to all for a strong workshop! Thanks to Jared, Andrew, and Brian for leading the charge!

It's all about cooperation.

Measuring throughstones.

The crew.

Day One: May Workshop

This morning, 12 inquisitive walling enthusiasts, two instructors, and one walling steward arrived at the Dutton Farm House on Dutton Farm Road in Dummerston, VT to begin a two-day workshop on dry stone walling. Participants, like Dan Mercer and Keith Stone, came form as far away as Philadelphia and Portland, Maine. Perfect, cool weather, as the cloud ceiling lowered slowly. Mt. Monadnock appeared and disappeared throughout the day.

Watch for Day Two.

This weekend's restoration project is made possible by the Scott Farm. And we are grateful for the sponsoring support of The Works, on Main Street in Brattleboro.

Wantastiquet Mountain, near Brattleboro, in the distance.
This portion of the wall was completed at the Fall 2010 Workshop.

Laying the foundation.

Coursework.

Down the line, nearly ready for throughstones.

April 30 Test Day photos

Level I wall, completed.

Satisfied waller. One of eight.

First, you take the wall down.

Then, you built it back up.

In The Center, after exams are completed.

Photo credits: Peter Welch and Dan Snow. Thanks!

Test Day, April 30

The Stone Trust just hosted its Spring 2011 Test Day last Saturday, April 30. Eight dry stone wallers took timed tests in hopes of gaining certifications for Level I or II. Successful test takers demonstrate mastery of standards developed by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. Wallers came from around New England and as far away as Maryland and North Carolina!

Test Day examinations were conducted by Master Craftsmen Dan Snow and Michael Weitzner. Each has earned the highest level certification from DSWA Great Britain.

To learn a bit more about the Certification Plan offered by The Stone Trust, visit www.thestonetrust.org/certification.html. From there, you can slip to other pages.

DRY STONE WALLING WORKSHOP

DRY STONE WALLING WORKSHOP

Date: Saturday and Sunday, May 14, 15, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Rain or Shine

Location: Dutton Farm Road, Dummerston, Vermont

Instructors: Jared Flynn and Andrew Pighills

Fee: $300

Reservations Required

The two-day hands-on workshop is designed to teach homeowners and tradespeople the structural techniques involved in building and restoring a historic field stone wall. The outdoor classroom provides the setting for practicing proper dry stone walling methods. Included in the workshop will be the age-old technique of splitting stone by use of pin and feathering. Knowledge gained will prepare students for their own projects and help train their eyes to identify proper walling techniques in all walls.

For more detailed information, contact Jared Flynn

jared.flynn@drystonevt.org , 802.579.6811

To register for the Workshop, contact Zon Eastes

zon.eastes@drystonevt.org, 802.380.9550 

Housing is available at additional cost at the Landmark Trust USA’s Dutton Farmhouse on a first come, first served basis. Link:http://landmarktrustusa.org/properties.html