Help Students Learn Masonry Skills
Tax deductible
Read about the school's call to action in the Bangor Daily News HERE.
Maine Masonry School needs help to continue Historic Preservation and Restoration courses that train students for lifelong professions —
The art of masonry is tragically becoming a lost skill in a time when the demand for masons is incredibly high. Since 2005 the country’s only private non-profit masonry school has been trying to change that by teaching new generations in the craftsmanship of masonry.
For over twelve years students have learned the fundamentals of laying brick and stonework with instructors who bring out the talents of individuals as they build different projects in the workshop or on location. Students become skilled craftspeople in just nine months, in a 1,200-hour certificate program and are placed in jobs every year.
We answer the need for Historic Preservation & Renovation with new program —
All across the country historic buildings are in need of renovation because there is a shortage of trained quality craftspeople to do the needed repairs and restoration work.
In 2016, the Maine School of Masonry started Renovation and Historic Preservation courses giving students specialized skills sets that command high earnings.
This unique Renovation and Preservation program has been extremely well received and the demand for space in the classes is high.
“Historic buildings surround us in New England but most people don’t realize there is a shortage in skilled craftspeople that can renovate and preserve these majestic monuments. Each building represents an important time in our history and needs to be preserved for future generations,” said Stephen Mitchell, Maine School of Masonry founder.
“Our classes give a new generation the skills needed to keep our history alive, as well as high paying jobs. Richard Irons, of Irons Masonry, has been an advisor for our program and on site specialist. With 38 years of experience under his belt working along side him gives our students instruction they can’t get anywhere else.”
Richard was awarded the Maine Historic Preservation Award in 1998 for "his excellence in historic restoration, his craftsmanship and dedication to the preservation of Maine's irreplaceable architectural history.”
In partnership with the owners of historic landmarks and with the state’s approval, these classes have already begun work on restoration and preservation projects at the Kennebec Arsenal, and Fort Knox.
But there is an obstacle to overcome to successfully continue the program.
Our Call to Action — We need your help!
After twelve years, the school is in need of its own renovations to accommodate these new classes with upgrades to its facilities.
In addition, last winter was brutal on the school’s buildings and vital repairs are needed.
With the new classes set to start this fall work needs to begin refitting the school immediately.
Key supporters of our Historic Renovation and Preservation coursers are Richard Irons , Maine Preservation, Greater Portland Landmarks , Main Street 1 and Niemann Capital.
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 private school and have been able to help Veterans through government programs.
We need improvements to our school buildings so we can educate new students in the art of renovation and historic preservation. Please help!
We need immediate help with:
- Donations to help with the school’s renovations for our new classes.
- Materials can also be donated and are tax deductible.
Materials needed to upgrade our facilities for our renovation/preservation classes:
- Insulation
- Sheet rock
- White paint
- Wooden flooring
- A new furnace or a new heating source (we’d like to use a more clean energy source)
- A mobile home to use on location.
We’ll be working on site at the locations listed above. The Kennebec Arsenal’s owner has generously offered space inside one of the five buildings that need renovation to house students. But until this building is up to code to live in we will be in need of a mobile home.
A mobile home would help the school tremendously. If anyone knows of someone who could donate one please let us know!
Donated materials can be dropped off at the school any time!
Email: [email redacted]
Visit us at: 637 Rangeley Road, Avon, ME 04966
Please view our website at: masonryschool.org
More about us—
Stephen D. Mitchell—
The school continues to be a dream come true for its founder, Stephen D. Mitchell, who opened its doors in 2005. Since then, Mitch has taught hundreds of students the fundamentals of laying brick and stone work empowering every one who graduates with the skills to start their own masonry business, or to obtain a professional job in the business.
Mitch is a Masonry graduate of Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, ’73. After his two-year apprenticeship ended, Mitch started up his own successful masonry contracting business. Although he enjoyed his life he felt there was something more he needed to do, so in 1980 when he was offered a major position as a masonry instructor at a center for young men in the Midwest, he accepted. Mitch’s teaching skills blossomed as he discovered the missing link in his life, which soon became his passion.
He’s taught masonry skills at private, public and secondary schools, all the while unknowingly preparing for his masterpiece — The Maine School of Masonry.
For Mitch there is nothing like being able to teach new generations the hands on skills of masonry at the Maine Masonry School. He still loves going out with his bag of tools to inspire students at local high schools, every hopeful that one of them will wish to pursue a masonry trade.
William Ellis—
Will is a 2012 graduate of the Maine Masonry School.
He fell in love with the precision, engineering, execution and art of the trade from the beginning. He’s a perfectionist, which is a major attribute in building structures that will last for lifetimes. He inspires his student’s everyday to achieve more than they could ever imagine.
After receiving his B.A. at the University of Maine, in Orono in engineering he began teaching at the school. Ellis is also an inventor and is pursuing a Graduate Degree at the University of Maine.
Dori James—
Dori keeps the school afloat with her administration skills, infusive energy, friendly smiles and brilliant conversation. She has a passion for the school that’s infectious and she loves the art of bricklaying. Organizing is her forte and she invites any and all enquires.
Contact her and she’ll schedule a tour of the school.
Email: [email redacted]
Visit us at: 637 Rangeley Road, Avon, ME 04966
Please view our website at: masonryschool.org
Maine Masonry School needs help to continue Historic Preservation and Restoration courses that train students for lifelong professions —
The art of masonry is tragically becoming a lost skill in a time when the demand for masons is incredibly high. Since 2005 the country’s only private non-profit masonry school has been trying to change that by teaching new generations in the craftsmanship of masonry.
For over twelve years students have learned the fundamentals of laying brick and stonework with instructors who bring out the talents of individuals as they build different projects in the workshop or on location. Students become skilled craftspeople in just nine months, in a 1,200-hour certificate program and are placed in jobs every year.
We answer the need for Historic Preservation & Renovation with new program —
All across the country historic buildings are in need of renovation because there is a shortage of trained quality craftspeople to do the needed repairs and restoration work.
In 2016, the Maine School of Masonry started Renovation and Historic Preservation courses giving students specialized skills sets that command high earnings.
This unique Renovation and Preservation program has been extremely well received and the demand for space in the classes is high.
“Historic buildings surround us in New England but most people don’t realize there is a shortage in skilled craftspeople that can renovate and preserve these majestic monuments. Each building represents an important time in our history and needs to be preserved for future generations,” said Stephen Mitchell, Maine School of Masonry founder.
“Our classes give a new generation the skills needed to keep our history alive, as well as high paying jobs. Richard Irons, of Irons Masonry, has been an advisor for our program and on site specialist. With 38 years of experience under his belt working along side him gives our students instruction they can’t get anywhere else.”
Richard was awarded the Maine Historic Preservation Award in 1998 for "his excellence in historic restoration, his craftsmanship and dedication to the preservation of Maine's irreplaceable architectural history.”
In partnership with the owners of historic landmarks and with the state’s approval, these classes have already begun work on restoration and preservation projects at the Kennebec Arsenal, and Fort Knox.
But there is an obstacle to overcome to successfully continue the program.
Our Call to Action — We need your help!
After twelve years, the school is in need of its own renovations to accommodate these new classes with upgrades to its facilities.
In addition, last winter was brutal on the school’s buildings and vital repairs are needed.
With the new classes set to start this fall work needs to begin refitting the school immediately.
Key supporters of our Historic Renovation and Preservation coursers are Richard Irons , Maine Preservation, Greater Portland Landmarks , Main Street 1 and Niemann Capital.
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 private school and have been able to help Veterans through government programs.
We need improvements to our school buildings so we can educate new students in the art of renovation and historic preservation. Please help!
We need immediate help with:
- Donations to help with the school’s renovations for our new classes.
- Materials can also be donated and are tax deductible.
Materials needed to upgrade our facilities for our renovation/preservation classes:- Insulation
- Sheet rock
- White paint
- Wooden flooring
- A new furnace or a new heating source (we’d like to use a more clean energy source)
- A mobile home to use on location.
We’ll be working on site at the locations listed above. The Kennebec Arsenal’s owner has generously offered space inside one of the five buildings that need renovation to house students. But until this building is up to code to live in we will be in need of a mobile home.
A mobile home would help the school tremendously. If anyone knows of someone who could donate one please let us know!
Donated materials can be dropped off at the school any time!
Email: [email redacted]
Visit us at: 637 Rangeley Road, Avon, ME 04966
Please view our website at: masonryschool.org
More about us—
Stephen D. Mitchell—The school continues to be a dream come true for its founder, Stephen D. Mitchell, who opened its doors in 2005. Since then, Mitch has taught hundreds of students the fundamentals of laying brick and stone work empowering every one who graduates with the skills to start their own masonry business, or to obtain a professional job in the business.
Mitch is a Masonry graduate of Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, ’73. After his two-year apprenticeship ended, Mitch started up his own successful masonry contracting business. Although he enjoyed his life he felt there was something more he needed to do, so in 1980 when he was offered a major position as a masonry instructor at a center for young men in the Midwest, he accepted. Mitch’s teaching skills blossomed as he discovered the missing link in his life, which soon became his passion.
He’s taught masonry skills at private, public and secondary schools, all the while unknowingly preparing for his masterpiece — The Maine School of Masonry.
For Mitch there is nothing like being able to teach new generations the hands on skills of masonry at the Maine Masonry School. He still loves going out with his bag of tools to inspire students at local high schools, every hopeful that one of them will wish to pursue a masonry trade.
William Ellis—
Will is a 2012 graduate of the Maine Masonry School.
He fell in love with the precision, engineering, execution and art of the trade from the beginning. He’s a perfectionist, which is a major attribute in building structures that will last for lifetimes. He inspires his student’s everyday to achieve more than they could ever imagine.
After receiving his B.A. at the University of Maine, in Orono in engineering he began teaching at the school. Ellis is also an inventor and is pursuing a Graduate Degree at the University of Maine.
Dori James—
Dori keeps the school afloat with her administration skills, infusive energy, friendly smiles and brilliant conversation. She has a passion for the school that’s infectious and she loves the art of bricklaying. Organizing is her forte and she invites any and all enquires.
Contact her and she’ll schedule a tour of the school.
Email: [email redacted]
Visit us at: 637 Rangeley Road, Avon, ME 04966
Please view our website at: masonryschool.org
Organizer
Ramona du Houx
Organizer
Phillips, ME
Maine School of Masonry
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
