Quarries

For the past ten years, I have photographed Vermont's quarries. I am drawn to their history, beauty, danger, and monumental engineering

The quarrying industry has long been a cornerstone of Vermont's economy and landscape. Three geological resources define the industry: marble in western Vermont, granite in central Vermont, and slate along the state's western border. These operations fueled industrial growth, attracted waves of immigrant labor, and left a lasting mark on Vermont's architecture and culture.

The nation's first commercial marble quarry opened in Dorset in 1785. Its stone was used in monuments and landmark buildings, including the New York Public Library, before the quarry closed in the late nineteenth century. Following the War of 1812, Barre emerged as the granite capital of the world. The industry expanded rapidly with the arrival of the railroad and the skilled craftsmanship of immigrant stone carvers from Scotland and Italy. One of the best-known active sites is the Rock of Ages quarry in Barre. Established in 1880, its immense granite pit descends more than 600 feet, standing as an enduring symbol of American industry and engineering.

While quarrying today operates on a different scale, these sites continue to shape Vermont's landscape. Many abandoned quarries, now filled with remarkably clear water, have become popular swimming holes, transforming places of industry into places of recreation. Through these photographs, I hope to reveal both the monumental scale and the unexpected beauty of these remarkable landscapes, where geology, labor, history, and nature converge.

An aerial view of a quarry with turquoise water, surrounding rocky terrain, some trees, and a small structure near the top left corner.
An aerial view of a large quarry with turquoise water, surrounded by rocky cliffs and some autumn-colored trees.
An aerial landscape photo of a turquoise lake surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, rocky shoreline, and construction site.
Aerial view photo of a large, deep quarry with steep, rocky walls. The bottom is covered with gravel and some construction materials. There are ladders and safety ropes along the walls for workers.
Aerial drone photo of a dam with water flowing over concrete steps surrounded by green trees and a rocky shoreline.
An aerial view of snow-covered ground with a line of three construction vehicles—an excavator, a dump truck, and a roller—parked on the snow, with vehicle tracks leading away.
An aerial view photo of a large excavation site with a visible blue-green lake inside a depression, surrounded by gray earth and scattered construction equipment.
An aerial view of a quarry with a body of water with rocky shores and some greenery.
An aerial view photo of a large snow-covered quarry with a crane extending across it.
An aerial view landscape photo of a lush forest along the edge of a clear blue body of water, with a small grassy path running through the trees and power lines crossing the forest.
An aerial view photo of a quarry with water at the bottom and snow-covered ground.
An aerial view photo of a quarry surrounded by dense green forest and a body of water below.
A photo of a large rock quarry with a large vertical rock face and a rusty metal staircase built into the side for access, with small green plants growing in cracks.
Aerial drone photo of a quarry in a mountainous region during fall with trees in shades of orange and yellow, and a river flowing through the landscape.
Aerial drone photo of a quarry with high concrete walls surrounding a turquoise water reservoir, with construction workers on top and an American flag on the right.
Aerial landscape photo of a park with leafless trees, grassy paths, and a circular flowerbed with plants and benches, during fall or winter in Vermont.
Close-up photo of a concrete dam with water flowing over the edge, creating a waterfall-like effect with reflected water below.
An aerial drone photo of a snow-covered quarry, metal railings along the edges, and some snow buildup on the structure.
An aerial photo of a landscape showing a quarry partially dug into the hillside with construction equipment, surrounded by trees with fall foliage, green fields, and distant mountains at sunset.
Aerial drone photography of a quarry in winter with snow-covered surroundings.
Aerial drone photography of a large quarry with turquoise water below.
Aerial drone photography of a quarry with a turquoise water reservoir.
Aerial view photo of a large quarry with white stone walls, yellow trees, and a body of turquoise water at the bottom.
Aerial landscape photo of a serene landscape of a calm river reflecting green trees and rocky shores, with a dense forest, rolling hills, and mountain range in the distance under a cloudy sky during sunset in Vermont.
An aerial drone photo of a turquoise body of water surrounded by green trees and a quarry.
Aerial drone photography of a quarry with a small body of water, rocky terrain, and a dirt road, contrasted with a dense green forest on the right.
Aerial drone photography of a body of water with shades of blue and green, bordered by a rocky shoreline and dense green forest.