Opus 40 : the master-work of environmental artist Harvey Fite (Documentary trailer)
"Opus 40 is a large environmental sculpture in Saugerties, New York, created by sculptor and quarryman Harvey Fite (1903—1976). It comprises a sprawling series of dry-stone ramps, pedestals and platforms covering 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) of a bluestone quarry."
Early summer 2016, the Stone Foundation led a communal effort of stone masons/wallers to rebuild a section of wall that had collapsed after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. A good description of the work and progress of the rebuild was documented by John Shaw-Rimmington in his blog Thinking with my hands. Amazing work....the original and the restoration.
Oh - with a few of our masonry grads among the crew!
National Center for Preservation Training and Technology - videos
Online resources
- Dry stone walls - An Inform Guide from Historic Environment Scotland - Opens in a new window"This INFORM aims to broaden the awareness of the importance and complexity of dry stone walling in Scotland and offers an indication of the maintenance tasks which can be performed to prolong the life of such walls.".
- L'architecture de pierre seche / dry stone architecture - Opens in a new window"The gateway to dry stone architecture"
Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur l'Architecture Vernaculaire / Paris, France - Stone wall repair workshop : Ellsworth Rock Gardens (2007-2008) - Opens in a new window"The purpose of the stone wall workshop was to provide hands-on training for park staff, Ellsworth volunteers and others interested in learning to build and repair drystone walls."
National Center for Preservation Training and Technology - Stonechat : the magazine of the North Wales branch of the Drystone Walling Association - Opens in a new window
Issues 6 - 29 (1994 - 2013) are available online (pdf format)
Associations and Organizations
- Dry Stone Canada - Opens in a new window"The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada (Dry Stone Canada) is a not-for- profit association of professional and amateur wallers that promote the art, craft and science of dry stone walling and dry stone features in Canada."
- Dry Stone Walling Across Canada - Opens in a new windowFormerly "The Dry Stone Walling Association of Canada"
"...we will continue to focus on drawing much needed attention to the use of dry laid stonework here in Canada, both historically and in contemporary applications, through beginner seminars, public events and the annual Thanksgiving festival...." - Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain - Opens in a new window"The main aims of the Association are to promote a greater understanding and knowledge about the traditional craft of dry stone walling and to encourage the repair and maintenance of dry stone walls throughout the country."
- Dry Stone Conservancy - Opens in a new window"The Dry Stone Conservancy was incorporated in 1996 ... to preserve existing dry-laid stone structures, and to revive and promote the ancient craft of dry stone masonry."
- Stone Wall Initiative - Opens in a new windowPromoting the appreciation, investigation and conservation of historic stone walls...particularly in the New England area.
- The Stone Trust - Opens in a new window"Established in southern Vermont in 2010, The Stone Trust seeks to preserve and advance the art and craft of dry stone walling."
- Artisans bâtisseurs en pierres sèches - Opens in a new windowL’association ABPS représente la profession du bâtiment spécialisée dans les techniques de construction en pierre sèche au niveau national.
On our shelves...find these BOOKS / DVDs and more!
How to build dry-stacked stone walls : design and build walls, bridges and follies without mortar - Opens in a new window by Call Number: TH2249 .S539 2016
Dry stone walling : a practical handbook - Opens in a new window by Call Number: TH2249 .B76 2010
Listening to stone : wall building, rural follies and meditations on nature - Opens in a new window by Call Number: TR732 .S66 2008
In the company of stone : the art of the stone wall : walls and words - Opens in a new window by Call Number: NA8380 .S66 2001"Finding stone, choosing it, and letting go of it are the three things a waller does...."
Stone rising : the work of Dan Snow (DVD) - Opens in a new windowCall Number: NA8380 .S86 2005"Presents the artistic stone creations of Dan Stone, including grottos and waterfalls, a stone boat, a beehive tomb, and ancient-looking fortifications... Shot on location in New Hampshire and Vermont."
Dry stone walls - Opens in a new window by Call Number: TH2249 .G37 1999"The reasons for building dry stone walls, the story of their development, technical details of their construction, regional styles and the state of the craft today are all covered."- Dry stone walling : the essential guide (DVD) - Opens in a new windowCall Number: TH2249 .D792 2008"The DVD provides a comprehensive introduction to basic dry stone walling techniques and highlights different construction styles from around the British Isles."
