Introductory Stone Wall Workshops

Our introductory workshops for homeowners and tradespeople promote the beauty and integrity of stone. The one-day workshop focuses on the basic techniques for creating dry-laid garden retaining walls and free-standing walls using field stone and rounded cobbles. Workshops are held in warm greenhouses in Hinesburg, Vermont. The workshops are hands-on — working directly with stone native to Vermont. Tuition for the one-day workshop is $100.

"The stone wall workshop awoke a new passion and appreciation for stone. In just one day-long class, we were equipped with the enthusiasm and skills to build four beautiful stone walls with gathered materials from our property." — Cynthia Cole and Fred Erdman, Richmond

Click here to watch a video of one of the Introductory Workshops — photo and video by Emily McManamy

Read a story in The Charlotte Citizen about the wall Hinesburg resident, Jane Starkweather, built after taking the workshop. The workshop series has also been featured in The Burlington Free Press, on Vermont Public Radio, and in Popular Mechanic's DIY listings.

Schedule for the Winter 2013 Workshop Series To Be Announced September 1, 2012

Stone Work Certification

Community Workshops

Collaborative Projects

DSWA Test Day, Hinesburg, 2010 (+)

Rosie's Girls, Winooski, 2009 (+)

Vermont Flower Show, Essex, 2011 (+)

For general information about the DSWA certification: Dry Stone Walling Association

Upcoming DSWA events in Vermont:

May 19-20, 2012
DSWA training days
Dummerston, Vermont
Click here for more information

May 21, 2012
DSWA test day
Dummerston, Vermont
Click here for more information

DSWA stone workers featured in Vermont Life magazine.

Each year, we work with community groups and schools to organize stone wall building workshops for permanent stone creations. We share the basic principles for stone wall building, and bring attention to the excellent work these groups and organizations do in Vermont.

Recent Community Workshops

Sustainability Academy at Barnes Burlington, 2012
Herb spiral

Intervale Community Farm
Burlington, 2011
Herb spiral

Rosie’s Girls &
Vermont Works for Women
Winooski, 2010
Garden wall

Wheelock Mountain Farm
West Wheelock, 2009
Greenhouse raised bed

Friends of Burlington Gardens
Burlington, 2007
Stone table

Part of the joy of stone work is collaborating with other professional wallers in projects that demonstrate the possibilities with dry-laid stone. Here are some recent examples:

Hunt Middle School, Summer 2011
Burlington, Vermont
Bread Oven

Vermont Flower Show, Winter 2011
Essex Junction, Vermont
Stone Stupa and Arch

Dry-laid Stone Festival, Fall 2010
Landon Bay, Ontario, Canada Footbridge

Shelburne Museum stone wall exhibit, Spring 2010
Shelburne, Vermont Demonstration Walls

Ontario Foot Bridge (+)

Shelburne Museum Demonstration Wall (+)

Sustainability Academy Herb Spiral (+)