The Art of Dry Stone Walling
Co-owners of 4 Corners Hardscapes, Eric and Henry share a passion for using natural stone to create beautiful outdoor living spaces that can stand the test of time. After starting 4 Corners Hardscapes in 2019, they have worked hard to improve their craftsmanship and knowledge of stonework year over year.
More recently, that passion led them to the art of dry-stone walling, an ancient form of masonry that uses no mortar or cement and relies solely on gravity and interlocking stones to build walls and structures that can stand the test of time. Dry stone walling origins can be traced back thousands of years and have been used all over the world.
In the United States, the craft has a rich history dating back to colonial times. Early builders used native North American stone to construct property boundaries, dwelling houses, smokehouses, icehouses, mills, dams, bridges, and even early distilleries. Some of these structures remain standing today, and sometimes may even go unnoticed, but they are a testament to the durability and craftsmanship of dry-stone construction. Recognizing the importance of preserving this historic trade, organizations across the United States have dedicated themselves to teaching and protecting the craft. One non-profit based in Kentucky, the Dry Stone Conservancy, was founded to protect existing dry-stone structures and develop skilled masons to preserve the craft. Another U.S.-based non-profit, The Stone Trust, established in southern Vermont in 2010 has the same goal. To preserve the craft while offering educational, hands-on workshops and official Dry-Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA-GB) certification tests to expand the number of certified Wallers in the United States.
Earlier this year, Henry and Eric attended a 5-day Contractors workshop in Pennsylvania. They loaded up and drove across the country to attend the course which included four days of training and the Dry Stone Walling Association Level I Waller certification test on the final day.
The goal of the workshop was to provide an understanding of the basic principles of dry-stone walling and to build a freestanding double-faced wall through successful completion of the DSWA Level 1 Certification test. By the end of the week, both Henry and Eric passed and are now DSWA Level I Certified. They headed back to Wisconsin with a new certification, but more importantly, a deeper appreciation for the history, discipline, and artistry of dry-stone walling.
Enjoy some photos of their week in PA with the Stone Trust!
Dry stone walling is an ancient art form. The act of walling allows the Waller to deeply connect with the landscape and nature around them. Building with natural stone also requires patience and observation, creating moments of focus, creativity, and quiet reflection.
In an excerpt from Listening to Stone, master Waller Dan Snow beautifully captures this relationship between the mason and the wall:
“The stones provoke the thoughts and the thoughts give birth to the form. A finished construction is a thought process petrified. Within a wall are all the moments that created it. They remain there like hidden messages slipped between the stones as they were placed. The finished wall’s character is defined by the space between the stones as much as it is by the stones themselves. (Snow, pg. xii) This gives insight into the true art of walling. Walling can ground us, challenge us, and connect us to the natural world in wonderful ways.
Here are some photos of the unique dry-stone walls and structures that Henry and Eric have had the pleasure to build after receiving their level I certifications.
Sources
Listening to Stone by Dan Snow
The Stone Trust: https://thestonetrust.org/
Dry Stone Conservancy: https://www.drystone.org/
Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA): https://www.dswa.org.uk/
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