Benjamin John Maron
Level 2 Certified Stone Waller
In 2002, I started a small independent business dedicated to the craft of stone work called Kraftwright. What had previously been a personal fascination and a summer job grew into an occupation and lifestyle. Since then I worked on hundreds of landscape oriented stone projects in the Hudson Valley, focusing on walls, paths, patio, steps, fire pits and architectural follies.
In 2013, I took my first workshop at the stone trust and realized that I could grow my work further by pursuing Professional Certification in Dry Stone Work.
In 2014, I received my first certification from Dry Stone Walling Association through the North American branch at The Stone Trust in Brattlesboro, VT. At this point my skills grew from the knowledge taught to me by follow stone workers and practicing the craft with a greater understanding of how to apply the principles of good dry stone construction.
In 2016, I returned to test for Level II. It was a difficult timed test, but I passed it on my first try. The pass rate is about 60%, so I was thrilled and thankful that the hard work from the last years had paid off. That same year, I also became a certified instructor. I quickly learned that it is one thing to know how to build a wall, but another thing to teach it.
Since then I have instructed in over 30 workshops with The Stone Trust in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Contractors Walling Workshop
Workshop in the colds of an early Spring day in Vermont 2021
Level 1 Freestanding Wall Workshop
Dario and I had a great workshop at the Stone Trust. Summer 2021