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Non-share capital co-operative · Working nationally

The co‑operative

Dry Stone Canada Historic Conservation provides expertise in the conservation of historic dry stone masonry walls and structures.

Nine members of the co-operative in hard hats and hi-vis standing along the rebuilt ironstone slate wall at the end of Phase 2.
Little Dutch Church NHS · Halifax, NSFull crew at the end of Phase 2 · 2023

Who we are

Structure
Non-share capital co-operative
Registered name
Dry Stone Canada Cooperative
Members
17
Working
Across Canada

Skilled professional stone masons and dry stone practitioners who specialize in historic dry stone features, in partnership with organizations, municipalities, federal and provincial bodies, and heritage institutions.

Our membership includes skilled wallers, certified in the craft of dry stone construction, under the guidance of heritage professionals.

Our mission

Our mission is to:

  1. Support the conservation of dry stone walls through proper and safe restoration methods, and teamwork.

  2. Encourage member training and certification.

  3. Advance the awareness of Canada's dry stone heritage.

How a craft co‑operative works

A craft co-operative is an assembly of qualified craftspeople who are members and co-owners of a registered and insured business. Most of our members are self-employed and work alone, building and restoring structures for large estate properties. The co-operative allows these craftspeople to combine their unique talents as part of a larger team on important projects.

Members pay a fee to join, then pool knowledge, equipment and labour, and share in any assets. That is what gives the co-operative administrative support to conduct business, and funds for professional development, travel and materials.

Two wallers examining an artifact recovered from the wall, one holding a notebook, while a third clears the course behind them.
Little Dutch Church NHS · Halifax, NSAn artifact recovered during dismantling · 2022–2023

Founding goal

The co-operative is the form the founding goal asked for:

start a business to provide employment for practitioners of dry stone construction and heritage, which makes a profit that can be invested among members for training, travel, and working with the Association (Dry Stone Canada).

The co-operative's founding goal

The board

Six of the seventeen members carry the co-operative's offices, alongside the work on site.

Membership

Membership and certification

Seventeen wallers are members of the co-operative. Certified through the Dry Stone Walling Association scheme, from Level 1 through Master Craftsman, with Level 2 and up working on site.

Certification is accumulated field experience with a range of stone and recognized dry stone practices, followed by supervised testing in the field.

Meet the members

Recognized certification institutions

  • The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (UK)
  • The Dry Stone Conservancy (USA)
  • The Stone Trust (USA)
  • Algonquin College Heritage Institute (Ontario)