One stone at a time: restoring an historic structure

Project combines preservation, education and an ancient form of craft

By SANDY LONG

MINISINK FORD, NY — Neil Rippingale returns from the local quarry across the Delaware River with a smile on his wind-burnished face. “It’s such wonderful stone,” he muses, citing its inherent hardness, a quality that allows it to repel, rather than absorb, water.

Rippingale, of the Dry Stone Conservancy (DSC) based in Lexington, KY, leads a crew of stonemasons in the restoration of the Roebling Bridge’s retaining wall, which was damaged during regional flooding in 2006.

Built in 1847, the Roebling Bridge, an aqueduct built by John Roebling as part of the D&H Canal at the confluence of the Delaware and Lackawaxen rivers, has been subjected to many flooding events. The damage that occurred to its retaining wall was caused by waters that rose high enough to scour out the bank behind the stones. For this reason, the new wall will be built five to 10 feet higher. The crew is replicating the original wall by tapping into the old footprint and recycling stone whenever possible.

When the project is complete and the crew moves on, more than the stone structure will remain behind. That’s because part of the mission of the Dry Stone Conservancy is to train local craftsmen in the art of drystone masonry, imparting a set of ancient skills during each project.

Most times, the teams are comprised of craftsmen of varying ability, giving each the opportunity to advance their skills on a project. The Roebling job crew includes men at the apprentice, basic, journeyman and master levels, according to Rippingale.

Every site is unique, too, said Rippingale. A special aspect of the Roebling project is the beautiful sensory atmosphere that he feels privileged to experience on a daily basis, while working next to the Delaware River. “We get to listen to the sounds of the water and breathe the fresh air,” he noted.

The master mason is grateful for the opportunity to work on historic structures such as the bridge, and another local project completed last year when his team repaired the foundation walls of the historic Corwin Barn near the National Park Service’s (NPS) ranger station in Barryville.

Crews are typically comprised of masons from various parts of the country. Marc Berry from New Hampshire and Rocky Slaymaker from Kansas have joined masons from Kentucky and several local NPS employees, who are being taught the trade by working on the restoration.

For the next project, Rippingale’s crew will change, too, since part of the Dry Stone Conservancy’s objectives is to train new masons in the art of drystone masonry. The conservancy has provided training, restoration or consultation services for the NPS in 35 states.

Unlike the raw material that Rippingale works with—the stone that will remain in place once the project concludes—the master mason will move on to other sites around the country. Next up is Virginia, then Tennessee. Rippingale has worked in 28 countries and 27 states.

Rippingale hales from Scotland, where drystone masonry is an ancient and revered craft. Even so, one of the things he likes best is the ongoing opportunity to continue advancing his skills from other craftsmen and the challenges presented by new sites. “I’m still learning. And I get to share my experience with others,” he said. “The more I pass on, the more I receive as well. It’s a lovely karma.”

The Dry Stone Conservancy is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1996 to preserve historic drystone structures, advance the drystone masonry craft and create a nationwide center for training and expertise. Visit www.drystone.org for more information.