Building fund
The Alberene Quarry School of Craft, will be a community-centered school dedicated to working Virginia Soapstone and related practical crafts at a working soapstone quarry and mill site.
The school is envisioned as a living, working place—where traditional skills are preserved, shared, and practiced, and where historic industrial land is brought back into active, meaningful use.
The Alberene Quarry School of Craft will serve artisans, students, and visitors through hands-on education, demonstrations, exhibits, and small-scale business opportunities. At the same time, it will contribute to the cultural vitality and economic health of the surrounding community.
How You Can Help
An immediate investment of $300,000 will allow us to take the essential first steps toward making this vision real:
- Begin the preservation and digitization of our collection of historical documents, maps, and blueprints.
- Prepare the land by purchasing reliable used equipment for clearing and moving stone, enabling safe and steady work on site.
- Restore access to historic structures, including the pipe shop ruins, opening space for future workshops and studios.
- Build our communications capacity by hiring a web and social media technician to share progress, invite participation, and strengthen community connection.
- Consult with engineers to guide responsible rebuilding and landscape development, ensuring the site grows in a safe, practical, and sustainable way.
A Place Rooted in Craft and Community
This project is about more than buildings. It is about honoring craft traditions, supporting working artisans, and creating a place where learning, making, and shared stewardship come together.
Your support at this moment helps turn preparation into action—and lays the foundation for a school that will serve the community for generations to come.