Stone Industry Education

Vermont has long been known for its rich stone heritage. Every stone professional should experience the uniqueness of the Vermont quarries at least once in their lifetime! This event also includes a look at the rich heritage of the granite industry in Stanstead, Quebec (the granite capital of Canada)!

Watch this video to learn more about the seminar

The following quarries are on our tour list:

E.L. Smith Quarry (owned by Rock of Ages) - the site covers a surface area of 50 acres and is about 600 feet in depth. It is believed to be the world’s largest dimension “deep-hole” granite quarry. It accounts for approximately 75% of the total production of Barre granite quarried each year.
Stanstead Gray Quarry (owned by Rock of Ages) - The quarry, which has been in operation since 1880, is located west of Stanstead, in the Estrie Region. The stone (Light to medium grey, medium- and coarse-grained granodiorite) is mainly used to produce monuments.
Danby Quarry (owned by Vermont Quarries) - is the biggest underground marble quarry in the world, over a mile long with a footprint of twenty five acres and reaching six levels deep. Five varieties of marble are produced at Danby Quarry.
Sutherland Falls Quarry (part of the Vermont Marble Museum tour) - Only a quarter mile stroll from the Museum parking lot, the viewing area allows the visitor to see the original Proctor quarry.
Vermont Verde Antique Rochester Quarry (owned by Vermont Verde Antique LLC) – Vermont Verde Antique has been quarried in the Green Mountains of Vermont since the early 1900’s. Serpentinite, unlike calcium carbonate based marbles, is capable of maintaining a polished finish in exterior exposures. This proven weather resistance has kept this material in high demand for the past century, and it’s classic look makes it one of the most widely recognized architectural façade materials.
Bethel White Quarry (owned by Rock of Ages) - the Bethel White granite quarry is a prime producer of a pure even-grain material. This quarry produces 225,000 cubic feet of blocks per year. Bethel White was supplied for the Mormon Bountiful Temple and the Grand America Hotel which was built to serve as a conference center for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

In addition to visiting a number of quarries, two museums are on our tour list:

GranitExpo & Museum of Stanstead-This unique complex combines a permanent showroom featuring our most respected manufacturers & artists and a museum honoring the past of our manufacturing community. The concept reunites the past, the present and the future of the granite industry in Stanstead. Site for May 13th dinner (hosted by our Stanstead welcoming committee-see back cover). Learn more online at: www.stansteadgranite.com

Vermont Marble Museum-Over 100 exhibits! Mineralogy-Geology-Immigrant and Industrial History-On-site Sculptor-Sculpture Gallery & Much More! Learn more online at: www.vermont-marble.com

NOTE: Passports will be required for entry into Canada on the first day. If you do not have a passport, an alternative tour will be provided while the Stanstead component of the tour is given.

1st day Agenda:

7:30am	Welcome / Orientation
7:45am	Bus Departs Hotel (Comfort Inn at Maplewood, 213 Paine Turnpike North, Montepelier, VT 05602)
8:15am	Arrive at Rock of Ages Visitors Center
8:45am	Visit E.L. Smith Quarry
9:30am	Rock of Ages Processing Center
10:45am	Hope Cemetery
11:15am	Depart for Activities in Barre
11:30am	Barre, VT Activities Fabrication Shop Tour Sculpture Demonstrations Lunch & More
1:00pm	Depart for Stanstead, Quebec
2:45pm	Border Crossing (bring a passport or photo I.D.)
3:15pm	Stanstead Activities Rock of Ages Stanstead Gray Quarry Tour Fabrications Shop Tour
4:30pm	Reception/Tour at “Picture This on Granite”
5:15pm	Depart for Granite Exhibit & Museum of Stanstead
5:30pm	Tour, Reception, & Dinner at the Granite Exhibit & Museum of Stanstead
7:00pm	Depart for Barre, VT
9:00pm	Arrive back at the Comfort Inn at Maplewood, Montepelier, VT

2nd day Agenda:

7:30am	Bus Departs Hotel (Comfort Inn at Maplewood, 213 Paine Turnpike North, Montepelier, VT 05602)
9:00am	Arrive at Danby Quarry / Group Photo Vermont Quarries Processing Plant
11:30am	Lunch (sponsored by Vermont Quarries)
12:15am	Depart for Vermont Marble Museum
12:50pm	Vermont Marble Museum Tour, Rutland, VT Sutherland Quarry Tour
1:15pm	Depart for Vermont Verde Antique Rochester Quarry
2:15pm	Vermont Verde Antique Rochester Quarry Tour & Reception (Rochester, VT)
3:00pm	Depart for Bethel White Quarry
3:30pm	Bethel White Quarry Tour
4:15pm	Depart back to Hotel
5:00pm	Arrive at Hotel - THANKS!

Vermont Hotel / Event Site :
Comfort Inn at Maplewood
13 Paine Turnpike North
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: 802-229-222
NOTE: Contact Megan Knight at the MIA (440.250.9222) to make your reservation.

Registration Costs :
$199 MIA Members; $249 Non-MIA Members

Registration Reminder:

Earn a $50 bookstore credit — MIA member companies who send two employees to a classroom seminar will receive a $50 credit for items from the MIA bookstore. Eligible companies will include those who joined MIA prior to January 1, 2009. Credit will be awarded onsite at the seminar.
Earn two free registrations - non-MIA member companies who join prior to or during the seminar will be able to send two employees to a seminar for Free (a $498 value). For more information about membership, go online to http://www.marble-institute.com/membership/join.cfm or call 440.250.9222 (ask for Jeff Handley).

We appreciate the support of the following companies!