Forest Darder of Darder Stone Works
by Judith Present (from The Hancock Herald 2005)

Forest Darder grew up in Long Eddy around bluestone quarries and quarrymen. Since he was 14 he mowed lawns and watched the men in his family work the quarries and he picked up the love for the area’s bluestone heritage.  But Forest isn’t just any stone mason, he sees what he does as a art form, and sees as well all the variety and color that bluestone comes in, which he blends together to make stone walls, patios, veneers, steps and even waterfalls. So far he has not had to advertise because once he does a job for someone he is highly recommended to someone else and is already pretty booked up way in advance. But I will say this, he is worth waiting for. 

I met Forest over at our friend Ricardo Castro’s house in Long Eddy. There he did a beautiful stone wall in the front of the house which makes a horse shoe shape. Each stone was placed for its color effect in the pattern of interlocking rocks strategically placed for the walls strength.  Since my business also works with the colors and clef of bluestone, I could see the subtleties he goes for when thinking of placement.

He didn’t start out knowing everything he knows today, it took the University of Syracuse as well as watching his relatives work the quarries.  But he learned and watched and put it all together to make his own creations. He now personally chooses the selection of rocks he will use; which is a long way from when he did back breaking work himself in the quarries. In college he learned how to use what he knew about bluestone for creative landscaping designs. And though he studied to be a civil engineer the love of outdoor work with the stone he loves, gave him another choice of careers.

His first job out of college was as a Civil Engineer for the DEP and NYC Water Supply through a environmental consulting firm, Malcolm Pirnie. There he learned how to write up legal construction contracts. Still the love for outdoor work and stone beckoned him. I imagine it was in his Long Eddy blood, and since a man has to do what a man has to do, he went back to what he loved, the hard labor and the achievement of masterpieces he could put together himself. And anyone who sees his work knows an artist was commissioned to do the job.

His stone work in all aspects shows the time he has taken to put the mossy edges in just the right places. He will crack the stone to get the new blue edges, which he will also place advantageously for his design. He will even throw in some red shale for color. He has also worked in carpentry which Forest says was where he learned lots about joining things and putting it all together. His understanding of advanced mathematics has also been a help, but he says once you get the perspective down the rest is in the artists eye.

To Forest the environment he designs for is one of the most important since his walls, patios, and even waterfalls need to fit in to their surroundings. And Forest designs for his environment, style of home and landscaping so everything blends smoothly where it will be.  After all, a stone wall or patio should last longer than a life time.

Forest has lots going for him; he is handsome, very personable, young and smart. And his artistic sensibilities have been developing over time, to where he understands the beauty of where his creations go.  He is married to Courtney who he met in college and they live in Pine Bush, NY, where she teaches. He says it’s only 1 hr and 5 minutes to his family and jobs in Long Eddy. Forest give free estimates, is insured, and has references. You can call him at 845-744-6642 or check out his website at www.darderstoneworks.com

I think as more people come to our area and appreciate our Bluestone, these walls will once again raise the value of property. They will be seen as the natural way to adorn ones home in their own setting.  And Bluestone masons will be seen as the artists they are. Maybe you will remember the beautiful Rotzler Wall in Long Eddy, well; the components from that wall will rise again.