WESTMINSTER — New England’s iconic stone walls tell stories of history, craftsmanship and the changing landscape, and visitors will have the opportunity to explore their origins during a special presentation at Forbush Memorial Library.
Kevin Gardner will present “Discovering New England Stone Walls” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, in the Eloranta Room at the library, 118 Main St.
Gardner said one of the questions he hears most often is what makes New England’s stone walls so distinctive.
“New England walls are special because they aren’t special,” he said. “They are the remnants of an agricultural landscape that was ubiquitous not that long ago, but has disappeared so profoundly that the walls are all that’s left in many places.”
The informal talk draws from Gardner’s book, “The Granite Kiss” (Countryman Press), and explores the history, techniques, styles and beauty behind the region’s thousands of miles of stone walls.
Gardner is also the author of “Stone Building,” published in 2017, which examines traditional stone construction and masonry techniques.
Gardner will discuss how and why New England acquired its distinctive stone walls, how dry stone structures were built, and how wall-building styles evolved over time. He will also explore the role these structures play in shaping the region’s well-known landscape.
Many people are surprised to discover stone walls winding through wooded areas, Gardner said.
“People ask, ‘Why did they build all these walls in the woods?’” he said. “Almost every one of them was built in open, cleared space that has since reforested itself.”
He explained that most of the walls were built not by professional masons but by farmers who had to clear countless stones from their fields before they could cultivate the land, creating a landscape that has become one of New England’s defining features.
Additional topics may include restoration methods, differences between historical and modern wall-building techniques, design considerations, acquiring materials, preservation and analyzing existing stone structures.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, giving attendees the opportunity to ask Gardner about their own stone wall projects or preservation challenges.
Gardner said he enjoys sharing the history behind the walls because they connect people to the places they call home.
“The walls are deeply suggestive of another time, another place that’s also the same place. So telling people about them is also telling people where they are. And most of us want to know where we are — right?” he said with a smile.
The program is free and no registration is required. For more information on this or other library presentations, visit forbushlibrary.org.
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