Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall. Below is a rough example of the two-day itinerary.
DAY ONE:
8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.
10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Setting up frames and lines, build first lift, prepare tie stones
4p - Review / Q and A
DAY TWO:
8:30a - Review of previous day, start on second lift
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Finish second lift, install cover stones and coping stones
4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations
This introductory workshop will be held at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Workshop participants will rebuild a section of a historic retaining wall on this beautiful nature preserve which has more than 24 miles of historic rock fences and dry stone masonry. For on-site lodging and more information about Shaker Village, go to The Inn - Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (shakervillageky.org)
April 25-26, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)
Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.
May 16-17, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)
Two-day!
at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY
This two-day retaining wall masonry workshop, May 16-17 (Saturday-Sunday), will take place at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY. Participants will receive instruction on a retaining wall on the historic Maker’s Mark Distillery campus. This workshop will be led by DSC/DSWA Master Craftsman, Neil Rippingale.
Participants will see that many wonderful dry stone structures on site, including the double barrel bridge that participants will be working near.
A distillery tour and tasting will follow the workshop. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a little bit at Maker’s Mark.
Below is an example of the daily agenda:
DAY ONE:
8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.
10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Setting up frames and lines, begin build
4p - Review / Q and A
DAY TWO:
8:30a - Review of previous day, finish build (if needed), start new section
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Finish second section
4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations
Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.
Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.
May 30-31, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)
Two-day!
Bloomington, Indiana!
Two-day introductory workshop May 30-31, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday) in Bloomington, Indiana. Participants will help restore a historic rock fence.
Below is an example of the daily agenda:
DAY ONE:
8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.
10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Setting up frames and lines, build first lift, prepare tie stones
4p - Review / Q and A
DAY TWO:
8:30a - Review of previous day, start on second lift
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Finish second lift, install cover stones and coping stones
4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations
Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.
Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.
This One-day Stone Shaping and Dressing Class will take place in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Leading the class will be DSC Mason, Ned Thilo.
The One Day Stone Shaping and Dressing Class is designed for people who have already taken a workshop and would like to gain some basic skills on how to process, cut, and split stone for various use in basic dry stone construction. Participants will be working with hand and power tools. Spots are limited to six participants so reserve your spot soon! While similar to our two-day stone dressing clinics, this class will feature
A typical day includes:
8:30am - Classroom session
10a - Tools, reading, and marking stone
11a - Splitting and cutting stone
12p-1p - Lunch
1p - Reducing stone size, removing saw/drill marks
2p - Shaping corners, covers, copes with hand tools
3p - Chisel and hammer techniques
4p- Question and Answer / Evaluations
PREVIOUS ATTENDANCE IN A WORKSHOP IS REQUIRED. If you have any questions contact us at dscadmin@drystone.org
Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.
Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of dry stone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall. Below is a rough example of the two-day itinerary.
DAY ONE:
8:30a - Classroom session and presentation covering the basics and fundamentals, safety, and what you can expect for the rest of the workshop. Coffee and donuts provided.
10:30a - Review of basics, on-site. Tear down section of wall, prepare site for foundation, lay proper foundation.
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Setting up frames and lines, build first lift, prepare tie stones
4p - Review / Q and A
DAY TWO:
8:30a - Review of previous day, start on second lift
12p - Lunch, provided
1p - Finish second lift, install cover stones and coping stones
4p - Review / Q and A / Course Evaluations
This introductory workshop will be held at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Workshop participants will rebuild a section of a historic retaining wall on this beautiful nature preserve which has more than 24 miles of historic rock fences and dry stone masonry. For on-site lodging and more information about Shaker Village, go to The Inn - Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (shakervillageky.org)
July 11-12, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday)
Payments are refundable (less a $25 cancellation fee) only if we hear from you at least two weeks prior to the first day of your workshop. Deposits and payments are otherwise nonrefundable.