Since 1906
The History of the DSWA of NA
Following the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scots moved to the New World (America) en masse to escape the oppressive and often barbaric "clearances" imposed by their English conquerors. Though they dissipated throughout the United States and southern Canada, many Scots brought their Hebridian "Blackhouse" homebuilding and stock-wall traditions with them and in preparing new arable lands they created border and livestock dykes (walls) from unearthed fieldstone. Over proceeding decades the shepherds and farmers formed a loose alliance of "dykers" which formalized in 1822 as the Drystane Alliance akin in structure to the Free Masons, also a Scottish right. However, most members including George McKinnon - the Maister of Ceremonies - perished in the American Civil War and the Alliance fell into quietude for over four decades. In 1906 a band of seven New England dykers revived the alliance as the Dry Stone Wallers Association of North America and created the Coat of Arms bearing the American bald eagle (the hammer) and the Canadian beaver (the chisel) to unite practitioners across the two nations. Sadly the last official member died in 1974 and there are no current members or surviving documents outlining organizational structure or practice standards. Until recently, ownership of the above Coat of Arms and the rights to it's usage belonged solely to the great great great grandson of a former DSWA of NA member, a fallen hero of the American Civil War. Certified members of the DSWA of GB (which was founded in Scotland in 1968) are entitled to convert their certificates for the DSWA of NA equivalency as outlined below.
T-Shirts
Modern EmblemThe Modern Emblem was created for fans of the trade and Starthands
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Coat of ArmsFor Certified Wallers only: must prove achieved level from Hammerman to Maister.
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DSWA of NA t-shirtT-shirts with the DSWA of NA coat of arms come in black with white ink, or, grey with black ink, in any size you require. $50. Please use contact form to provide details, we will email you payment info.
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Your Company Logo t-shirt
T-shirts with your company logo come in black with white ink, or, grey with black ink, in any size you require. $50. Please use contact form to provide details, we will email you payment info. T-shirt will have the DSWA of NA coat of arms & signify the level you've achieved on the left breast.
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DSWA of NA skill levels
Learner (pre-certification): Starthand
Beginner: Hammerman
Intermediate: Yeoman
Advanced: Stronghar
Master: Maister
Beginner: Hammerman
Intermediate: Yeoman
Advanced: Stronghar
Master: Maister
"The Way of the Stone"
HOW TO CERTIFY
DSWA of NA Certification is obtained via the apprenticeship method as prescribed by Craftsmen across the generations. Unfortunately in this day and age obtaining an apprenticeship can be very difficult so we advise you find a Certified waller whom you like and negotiate a payment for their time and mentoring: via this method you are providing valuable income to your chosen mentor and perpetuating the art. Mentors in the first three skill level must have 6 months (1000hrs) of practical experience in each level before providing any apprenticeship and/or examination to a waller of the preceding level. A Maister seeking to certify a Yeoman as a Maister must have 1 year (2000hrs) of practical experience before providing mentorship/examination.
1) As a Starthand, you can become a Hammerman by taking 40 hours of tuition/examination from a Certified Yeoman with 8 hours of instruction and practical application in general walling, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in stone shaping, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in batter frames and string lines, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in retaining walls followed by an 8 hour examination day conducted by your chosen Certified Yeoman plus one impartial witness. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
2) As a Hammerman, you can become a Yeoman by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Stronghar. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
3) As a Yeoman, you can become a Stronghar by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Maister. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
4) As a Stronghar, you can become a Maister by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Maister. The Maister must have a total of 1 year experience working as a Maister prior to providing any apprenticeship/examination for Stronghar's seeking this level of Certification. There must be two Maisters in attendance during your 8 hour examination day. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. Your examination must bear signatures of both Maister examiners. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
1) As a Starthand, you can become a Hammerman by taking 40 hours of tuition/examination from a Certified Yeoman with 8 hours of instruction and practical application in general walling, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in stone shaping, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in batter frames and string lines, 8 hours of instruction and practical application in retaining walls followed by an 8 hour examination day conducted by your chosen Certified Yeoman plus one impartial witness. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
2) As a Hammerman, you can become a Yeoman by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Stronghar. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
3) As a Yeoman, you can become a Stronghar by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Maister. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
4) As a Stronghar, you can become a Maister by taking 40 hours of working tuition plus an 8 hour examination from a Certified Maister. The Maister must have a total of 1 year experience working as a Maister prior to providing any apprenticeship/examination for Stronghar's seeking this level of Certification. There must be two Maisters in attendance during your 8 hour examination day. It is your responsibility to compensate your chosen mentor for his time. It is your mentor's obligation to submit a full log of your completed hours and skills plied, and a detailed description of the testing process illustrating your achievements and shortcomings with a minimum of 60% signifying a pass. Your examination must bear signatures of both Maister examiners. When we receive the above documentation we will issue your Certification.
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