Introductory Stone Wall Workshops

Photo By Emily McManamy

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

Schedule for Fall 2011 and Winter 2012 Workshops

All introductory stone wall workshops are Saturdays, 8:30-3:30, in Hinesburg, except as noted. Space for each one-day workshop is limited; use the registration form below to sign up for the date that works best for you.

January 14, 2012 | February 11, 2012 | March 10, 2012 | March 17, 2012

To sign up for a workshop in Hinesburg, click here (DOC ~ 31.74Kb)

Directions to the Hinesburg workshop site, click here (PDF ~ 57.32Kb)

Waiver form, click here (PDF ~ 47.79Kb)

October 1, 2011 (Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont)

For more information and to register for this event, click here.

Stone Work Certification

Community Workshops

Collaborative Projects

Rosie's Girls (+)
Vermont Flower Show (+)

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

Upcoming DSWA events in Vermont:

September 17-18, 2011
DSWA training day
Dummerston, Vermont
Click here for more information

October 23, 2011
DSWA test day
Dummerston, Vermont
Click here for more information

DSWA stone workers featured in Vermont Life magazine, Fall 2008

Each year, we work with community groups 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

Intervale Community Farm
Burlington, 2011
Herb spiral

Rosie’s Girls &
Vermont Works for Women
Winooski, 2009-2010
Garden wall and herb spiral

Wheelock Mountain Farm
West Wheelock, 2009
Greenhouse raised bed

Schoolhouse Learning Center
South Burlington, 2008
Garden wall

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 (+)