2019 Askins Achievement Award

Read the nomination below:

“Jane has been an active and supportive member of the PTN since its conception many years ago. Jane’s lifetime involvement in preservation spans over 30 years and even more but she might not appreciate me divulging the exact amount! As a young girl growing up, Jane would visit historic houses and structures throughout the state of Kentucky with her mother, an architectural historian. Jane’s father and her two older brothers were also involved in restoration and construction, so it comes with no surprise that preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of dry stone structures are an everyday part of Jane’s life, nation-wide.

Jane qualified as a Landscape Architect in Lexington, Kentucky and with her additional qualifications as a botanist, her wealth of knowledge and expertise in the stone industry make her an incredible asset in the preservation industry.

Jane has been an integral part of the Dry Stone Conservancy almost from its beginning in 1996. During that time Jane has organized million dollar projects all over the United States and has worked and collaborated with over 25 National Parks throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Over the two decades with the Dry Stone Conservancy Jane started to help out as a part time employee moving up to the present day as the Executive Director of the organization. Jane was responsible for developing the masons certification scheme available for stone masons all over the country in advancing their career in dry stone construction from a beginners level, followed by the journeyman level and finally the master craftsman level. Jane was also responsible for developing the training handout booklet for the Dry Stone Conservancy and many other information guides that create an amazing resource for the training program. Jane also helped created and edit the current 4 DVDs that the Conservancy uses and sells for training purposes. Jane’s unlimited skills have built bridges in practical terms and in educational terms working closely with Departments of Transportation in many states which include, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New York, and Minnesota. Jane’s attributes and skills don’t just stop in Kentucky or the United States, Jane has been fortunate to travel to many countries promoting her knowledge in preservation philosophy and stone traditions from Ireland, England, Canada, and of course in many U.S. states.

I believe it would be safe to say that Jane is the brightest star in my constellation of inspiration and I would have no hesitation in nominating Jane as this year’s 2019 Askins Achivement Award Nominee.

Respectfully submitted by,

Neil Rippingale”

“Thank you, Neil . . . for your nomination.  I will circle back to you later.

Thank you, PTN . . . for this great organization, for representing and bringing us all together for almost 25 years now.   

Thank you, previous Award winners . . . for your dedication . . . and your votes!

And, thank you Historic Scotland, for partnering with PTN this year for the great venues at the Engine Shed and this wonderful castle . . . and for hosting our dinner tonight,  creating the occasion for all of us to enjoy this incredible Scottish meal, and to see all the beautiful kilts and clan colors! 

When I first heard about the Award, I thought I was not qualified to receive it . . . I am not a tradesperson, I am not a trainer or educator, I am not a preservation consultant or conservator.  But, eventually I came around to the idea . . . I do have a particular skill set . . . as a landscape architect that is directly relevant to preservation.  I often tell people “the masons build the projects; I build the partnerships”.   We all have a part to play. 

Thank you again for this great honor.

That said, I KNOW I would not be here if it weren’t for the passion and contribution of many others:

1. First, my Mom, Carolyn Murray Wooley. I grew up under her influence and keen interest in Kentucky’s early stone houses and rock fences . . . back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, working as a consultant for the Kentucky Heritage Council, she developed the nominations for more than 600 early Kentucky stone buildings to the National Register in one of its first thematic nominations.  Her research often included carting her three young children to these historic sites to interview the owners, and crawl around the buildings, in cellars and attics, measuring and photographing.  Little did I know what I was learning, without even knowing it!  I brought two of her books for the auction . . . but they are somewhere in Amsterdam, in my luggage that still has not arrived! 

2. It was through her passion that the Dry Stone Conservancy was formed almost 25 years ago, a nonprofit organization dedicated the history and craft of dry-laid stone masonry.  Without its dedicated board of directors, staff, its supporters and workshop participants and its certified drystone masons I would not be here.  It is through the Dry Stone Conservancy’s portfolio of restoration and training projects that I have gained my knowledge, coordinating and managing its scores of restoration projects.

3. But, it is the masons themselves to whom I and the Dry Stone Conservancy owe the biggest debt of gratitude; without their skill and dedication I wouldn’t be here.  In truth, they make my job easy . . . as each new successful restoration project gives comfort to the next client . . . and the next project.

Which brings me full circle back to Neil.  It is his knowledge, charisma and ability to effectively lead a team . . . and his absolute willingness to pass that knowledge on to others . . . that have been critical to Dry Stone Conservancy’s, and my success. 

There may be others of you out there tonight who are not trades practitioners.  Just bring what you do have to the table . . . you never know where it will lead you.   Thank you all.  It is an incredible honor. “

Jane Wooley -September 6, 2019