Stonemasonry occupies a peripheral place in modern construction. But the Stone Foundation (www.stonefoundation.org) is trying to change that by serving as a clearinghouse for stone building standards and facilitating cooperation among stoneworkers in the U.S. and abroad. The goal of the organization, which has more than 130 members internationally, is to connect and inform all those interested in working with stone.

The Foundation recently held its second annual Stonework Symposium in Charlottesville, Va., bringing together stonemasons, architects, general contractors, artists and academics to share ideas, educate and cultivate dialogue. This two-week symposium offered lectures, tours of local sites and general merriment. The core presentations sparked some inspired discussions in the subsequent group discussions as designers and builders, sometimes segregated in the course of modern construction, compared notes on stone structure, aesthetics and energy efficiency.

The first week also saw a hearty crew of volunteers assisting a group of Stone Foundation members — all professional masons — to construct the stonework for a home being built outside Charlottesville by mason and author Charles McRaven, author of Building With Stone and Stonework (Storey Publishing). A portion of the proceeds from the eventual sale of the home is to be donated to the Stone Foundation.

The symposium also focused on dry stone masonry, the art of laying stone without mortar. The past few decades have seen a rekindling of interest in this ancient craft, both overseas, and more recently, here in the U.S. The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (www.dswa.org.uk) and the Dry Stone Conservancy (www.drystoneusa.org) each sent representatives. Masons Dan Snow (Vermont), Richard Tufnell (Scotland), and Tomas Lipps (New Mexico) elaborated on dry stone structures both new and ancient from around the world, including buildings, bridges, retaining walls and freestanding walls.

The high point of the event was the first-ever International Dry Stone Walling Competition/ Demonstration, loosely based on similar events held in Great Britain. Entrants paired up in teams of two to build adjoining 10-ft. sections of wall. Judging was based on expedience and overall quality. The contest was open to anybody; experienced wallers paired up with amateurs, some of whom were initially spectators.

Proceedings from this year’s symposium are expected to be published and made available to the public. The Stone Foundation intends to conduct such symposia on a yearly basis, changing the venue each year. Preliminary plans for next year’s symposium call for a winter rendezvous in San Francisco, with a work project in Golden Gate Park preceding the gathering. Further information on the Stone Foundation is available at www.stonefoundation.org.

John Burnell is a dry stone mason in Kent, Ohio.

Photos: Linda Moore McRaven