Weir Farm National Historic Site will host a two-day hands-on stone wall workshop on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The workshop will be led by master craftsman Neil Rippingale of Dry Stone Conservancy, the only nonprofit organization in the country devoted to the preservation of historic dry stone masonry, with assistance from the park’s natural and cultural resources manager, Greg Waters.
Neil has traveled the world building stone walls, and is an engaging and informative instructor in dry stone wall building, restoration, and repair, and Greg has been successfully leading stone wall workshops at the Weir Farm National Historic Site for over a decade. It’s a rare opportunity to learn from the best.
The workshop will be a hands-on training event where participants learn the craft while contributing to our nation’s incredible dry stone heritage of building enduring stone structures without the use of any mortar. The workshop is designed for enthusiasts and masons with little to no previous dry stone experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of this beautiful and practical craft. The pace will be comfortable as participants learn the fundamental skills needed to repair and restore dry stone walls using native stone.
The workshop includes a brief classroom introduction to the “four basic principles and five golden rules” of dry stone construction followed by hands-on instruction for the remainder of the time. All participants will receive a copy of the Conservancy’s training manual Building and Repairing Dry Stone Fences & Retaining Walls. The workshop is limited to twelve participants and advance registration is required by contacting Dry Stone Conservancy at 859-266-4807 for a registration form. The fee for the two day workshop is $200; a deposit of $100 is required to guarantee your spot. To register and learn more about the Dry Stone Conservancy go to www.drystone.org. Participants should bring work gloves, sturdy footwear, clothing that is appropriate for outdoor work, a water bottle, and a brown bag lunch. Drinking water will be provided.
ABOUT DRY STONE CONSERVANCY
The Dry Stone Conservancy’s mission is to preserve historic dry stone structures, to advance the dry stone masonry craft, and to create a center for training and expertise nationwide. The Conservancy has conducted training and restoration projects for National Park Service personnel, including Weir Farm National Historic Site, in 20 states and has provided advice and consultations in 35 states. It is the only nonprofit organization in the country devoted to the preservation of historic dry stone masonry. Weir Farm National Historic Site has worked with Dry Stone Conservancy, and specifically Master Craftsman and Training Program Manager, Neil Rippingale, on a number of projects over the years which included training of park staff and volunteers in the craft of repairing dry stone walls and preserving their structural and historical integrity. Learn more about the Dry Stone Conservancy at www.drystone.org or call 859-266-4807.
ABOUT WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Weir Farm National Historic Site, the only National Park Service site dedicated to American painting, was home to three generations of American artists including Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and the development of American Impressionism. Today, the 60-acre park, which includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond, is one of the nation’s finest remaining landscapes of American art. For more information about Weir Farm National Historic Site or the National Park Service, please visit www.nps.gov/wefa or call 203.834.1896.