Find a Contractor Buyer's Guide
MCAA Logo
Member Login JOIN
NEWS
Join Us For The 75th Anniversary Midyear Meeting Sep 7-11 ↗

Majestic masonry

Words: Jennifer MorrellI recently was approached by the publisher of a new book that caught my eye. The book now is on my coffee table, gaining a lot of attention from all who pass by. And how could it not? It’s large, blue, heavy, and chock full of images of some of the most incredible masonry masterpieces I’ve ever seen in one collection.

“Cathedrals Built by the Masons” by Russell Herner (Schiffer Publishing Ltd.) is described as showcasing “vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and flying buttresses,” and boy, does it ever. The book explores Gothic architecture as well as the tools and stonemasons behind this art.

With all of the traditional brick buildings found around the United States, we forget that other types of opulent masonry work exist all over the world, bold and mighty in all their beauty.

This book provides a good history lesson on not only cathedrals, but also the master builders who designed and built them. For masonry enthusiasts like us, it’s great reading!

To dress up your coffee table and learn something you might not have known about your craft, email jessem@schifferbooks.com for more information on “Cathedrals Built by the Masons.”
 0
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

Zach Everett
Read More
From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Keith Lolley
MAP Partner
Read More
Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Industry News
Read More
Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More