Drystone Workshop
April 17 @ 8:30 am - April 18 @ 4:30 pm
$400 – $450
This two-day hands-on drystone workshop is focused on repairing and constructing dry-laid stone walls. Under the guidance of Neil Rippingale, participants will learn traditional drystone techniques and practice using both real-world conditions and controlled training environments.
Dates
Friday, April 17 – Saturday, April 18, 2026
Times
8:15 am – 4:30 pm daily
Location
Gathland State Park, 900 Arnoldstown Road, Jefferson, MD 21755
Parking Lot Coordinates: 39.404680337315256, -77.64031604677345
Level
Introductory
Prerequisites
None
Format
In-person and hands-on.
CEUs
15 Hours in Masonry Building Systems or Materials towards The Campaign’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Learning Objectives
You’ll learn through a combination of classroom-style instruction and hands-on restoration work. The focus is on practical techniques and real-world conditions. During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to:
- Repair and rebuild sections of existing stone walls on-site
- Practice drystone techniques
- Learn about stone selection, placement, stability, and proper drainage for drystone construction
- Work side-by-side with skilled instructors in a supportive, hands-on learning environment
What to Expect
These workshops are interactive, hands-on, and have very little lecture time! Be prepared to:
- Stand, sit, crouch, and use your hands.
- Collaborate with participants on different activities.
- Be outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Get dirty, hands-on, and interactive.
What to Bring
- Wear clothes that are okay to get dirty, stained, torn, etc.
- Long pants (required) and long sleeves (recommended).
- Closed toe shoes (required).
- Sunscreen or sunblock.
- Hat or sun protection.
- Knee pads or a pad for kneeling (participants will be working close to the ground).
- Water bottle.
- Snacks and a lunch. This is a remote location and you will not have time to drive somewhere for lunch.
What’s Included
- Personal Protective Equipment
- All tools, materials, and supplies needed for the workshop.
- Learning materials.
- Access to the facilities on site.
Host Site: Gathland State Park
Hosted at Gathland State Park, Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Gathland State Park was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War journalist. In the late 1800s, Gathland featured a unique collection of buildings and structures designed and constructed by Townsend. Drystone walls run through the park, along with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Address
900 Arnoldstown Road, Jefferson, MD
Getting There
Free parking available on site.
Getting Around
This workshop takes place in a remote Maryland State Park. You will need a vehicle to access the site and should plan for plenty of time to get to and from the site each day.
Schedule
Day 1 – 8:15 am – 4:30 pm
8:15 am: Welcome and Check-in
8:30 am: Classroom Session: History of the Craft, Dry Stone Construction, Basic Fundamentals
9:30 am: Coffee Break
9:45 am: Certification Review: Different levels, requirements, and certification centers
10:15 am: Start work on damaged drystone walls, Safe Lifting Techniques, Methodology, Dismantle Procedure
12:00 pm: Lunch (bring your own)
12:30 pm: Return to work on site and continue to build, Use of Lines and Frames
4:00 pm: Clean-up and Recap, Review Fundamentals, Tidy the Site, Questions and Answers
4:30 pm: Close up
Day 2 – 8:15 am – 4:30 pm
8:15 am: Morning check-in, Review Day 1 lessons and questions
8:30 am: Packing and Building Techniques, How to Shape Stone
9:30 am: Coffee Break
9:45 am: Continue to Build, Tool Selection and Use
12:00 pm: Lunch (bring your own)
12:30 pm: Return to Site, Coping and Cap Assembly
4:00 pm: Recap, Review Fundamentals, Tidy the Site, Questions and Answers, Evaluations, Certifications
4:30 pm: Close up
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the workshop scheduled?
The workshop will take place over two days: Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th.
2. Where will the workshop be held?
On April 17, everyone will check in at 900 Arnoldstown Road, Jefferson, MD.
The Parking Lot Coordinates are 39.404680337315256, -77.64031604677345. You can also enter “Gathland State Park Parking Lot, MD” into a GPS or map app on your phone.
3. How much does the workshop cost?
Early bird registration: $400 (register by March 14).
Normal registration: $450 (register by April 12).
Other expenses, such as travel and housing, are NOT included in the cost. Registrants must arrange and pay for their own travel, housing, and food expenses.
4. Who are the instructors?
The workshop instructor is Neil Rippingale.
5. What topics will be covered in the workshop?
Participants will learn dry stone wall fundamentals, stone selection, wall construction and repair, proper drainage and stability techniques, and hands-on practice with existing walls.
6. What are the daily hours of the workshop?
The workshops will run for eight hours each day. General start/end times may vary each day. Day 1, please arrive by 8:15a.m. for check-in. Learners will receive information about their daily activities once on-site.
7. Who should attend this workshop?
This course is open to beginners, tradespeople, preservationists, and anyone interested in learning more about historic masonry.
8. Do I need any prior experience?
No prior experience is necessary. All materials and tools will be provided.
9. What should I bring to the workshop?
All necessary materials, tools, and PPE will be provided. Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on work and bring any personal items they may need for a full day of activities. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. Suggested items to bring include a water bottle, snacks, lunch, sunblock, and kneepads. Wear clothes that can get dirty or be damaged. Long pants are required and long sleeves are recommended.
10. Are there any additional activities included in the workshop?
There are no planned activities. Learners may explore the local area on their own.
11. How do I register for the workshop?
Create an account and register here: https://historictrades.moodlecloud.com/enrol/index.php?id=20.
12. Is travel and accommodation included in the workshop fee?
No, participants are responsible for their own travel, food, and accommodation arrangements.
13. What is the maximum number of attendees for the workshop?
The maximum number of attendees is 8.
14. What happens if registration is full?
Once registration reaches 8 participants, please email kpratt@historictrades.org to be added to a waitlist.
