Member Contributions

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LINEAR LANDFILL ARCHETYPE FOR THE 20TH CENTURY?

Below is one of the most informative photos regarding the stone wall phenomenon that I have ever seen. Sent to me by Colin Harty who took the photo in December 2007.

"Linear landfill" of disposed tires along a property boundary in Middlesex, Vermont. The disposal stretches through the woods for hundreds of yards in the vicinity of what had been a vast auto junk yard, now cleaned up for a rough horse pasture. This is a 20th century stand-in for the early stone walls of New England during the pioneering stage, when the disposal of stone refuse was the dominant rationale for construction. In the historic case, a wooden fence along a property boundary (now decomposed) nucleated the dumping of stone. In the 20th century, a wire fence along a property boundary (now collapsed) nucleated the dumping of tires.

OLDEST STONE MASON ?

Below is a letter I received. If you know anyone older who is working as a stone mason, or would like to notify me of a favorite old time mason, please contact the SWI.

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To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing on behalf of Belmiro Rodrigues, a stone mason in Norwich, CT. He has been building walls for 47 years. (He is not on line at this time) He has a company that is referenced in the subject line. Mr. Rodrigues builds stonewalls of all kinds (dry and with cement) but specializes in fieldstone walls. He and his partner, Jose Santos (80 years old) currently work on special jobs including new walls, retaining walls, repairs and special requests. Mr. Santos has been building walls for 60 years. They prefer to build walls with natural stone and without using cement and are true artisans. Samples of their work are in Norwich,New London and various other locations around the state.

Mr. Rodrigues is wondering if Mr. Santos is the oldest working (full time) stone mason in CT. Do you know of any others that are older? Mr. Rodrigues asks that someone call him at 860-884-6902, as he would like to learn more about SWI. He would like, also, to respectfully request that he be placed on your mailing list, if possible.

If you could email me and let me know if this is possible, I would appreciate it very much!

Thank you for your time.

Ann Tucker Velazco (for Belmiro Rodrigues)

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PHOTOS

PHOTO BY Greg Swift, taken November 04, Guilford, CT. Note "bite" wherea tree likely fell over the wall and has since rotted away.

POEMS

Tio be added.