Slaymaker to teach fence class
Special to The Gazette
Monday, October 6, 2008
Certified stonemason Rocky Slaymaker of Emporia will be the lead instructor of the third annual Historic Stone Fence Workshop.
“I find it truly exciting and rewarding to work with people who want to build or restore historic stone fences using the dry masonry methods of our forefathers,” Slaymaker said.
The workshop will be held Oct. 18 and 19 at the Don and Julie Meseke Farm, 1.3 miles north of Alma on Kansas Highway 99.
The historic stone fences were authorized by the Kansas legislature in 1867 and many can be seen along the Native Stone Scenic Byway in Wabaunsee County. Many are very dilapidated, however, because they are as much as 150 years old.
“Participants will learn the nine essential elements for building or restoring stone fences without use of mortar,” Slaymaker added. “We build just like they did before the turn of the century.”
The first two years, the class restored a fence on the Thowe farmstead 4.5 miles south of Alma on K-99.
The class is limited to 20 participants. There is a charge to applicants, but some scholarships exist for young people interested in learning the art. Applications can be downloaded at www.wabaunsee.com or call Marita Elliott at (785) 449-7212.