The Wicked Yard

From its uppermost reaches in Maine down to Connecticut’s southern shores, New England’s coastline features a topography ranging from rugged cliff faces, rocky shorelines and sandy beaches. While varied, the length of the northeast seaboard shares one common variable: the occasional wrath of Mother Nature. 

Year after year, the coastline takes batterings from seasonal hurricanes and nor’easters — not to mention winter’s damaging cold temperatures and winds — all while being pounded by the waves of the salty Atlantic Ocean. It stands to reason that anything built along the coast calls for only the most durable building materials to weather New England’s seasonal swings and ocean tides. 

For many, granite is the natural choice for projects that must contend with the harsh ocean elements and withstand the constant freeze-thaw cycle.

High above New Hampshire’s Merrimack River, deep in the core of Rattlesnake Hill, Swenson Granite Works has been quarrying historic CONCORD GRAY™ granite since 1883. Also known as Swenson Gray, the iconic stone has brought timeless style to buildings across the country for over a century and has been a part of the company’s heritage of stonework. While methods for cutting the rock have changed over time and many other quarries have come and gone, one thing remains the same: Concord Gray granite has stood the test of time.

Friendly. Family and community oriented. Up and coming.

Those are just a few of the things that come to mind for John Proulx when he thinks of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where he manages one of Swenson Granite Works’ newest retail stores.

How do you prove just who is the world’s strongest man?

Some of the strongest men from around the world hoisted massive granite stones weighing hundreds of pounds at this year’s Arnold Strongman Classic, in a “Trial By Stone” medley that pitted the strongmen against the strongest stone in the world.

The five round lifting stones, weighing between 275 and 420 pounds, were fabricated by Swenson Granite Works from BETHEL WHITE® granite, of which four were used in the annual competition held in Columbus, Ohio and featuring strength athletes from all over the world.

From the moment she saw the historic Greek Revival home, built in the mid-1800s and set on an acre of property in charming Westport, Connecticut, actress, entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri could see the potential. “We loved it from the second we saw it,” explained the mom of two young children with a third on the way, “but felt like its space was not utilized well and it lacked the grandness it deserved, given its historic location in town.

South Hadley native Dan Richard has come full circle. He grew up in this small town, not far from Springfield, and after working at the Medway Swenson Granite Works store in eastern Massachusetts, found his way back home in 2018 to manage the newest retail store.

The Swenson Granite Works South Hadley store, located on Granby Road on the site of an abandoned restaurant that had become “an eyesore,” brings locally-sourced, natural stone products to Western Massachusetts as a heartier — and more beautiful — alternative to wood and concrete products.

In the same way a unique painting or statement chair can transform an entire room, ornamental features of all sizes can elevate an outdoor space. From handcrafted benches to custom-engraved millstones, Swenson Granite Works offers a range of granite ornamental products for every backyard style.

As the end of the summer neared, Robbin Mangano, the lifestyle blogger behind The New England Life, and her husband, Jeff, were eager to spend the last few days of the season outside. A DIY granite fire pit from Swenson Granite Works was the perfect end-of-the-summer project and a great way to extend the livability of their backyard into the cooler months.

Quarried in the town of Woodbury, Vermont, Woodbury Gray granite, one of several granite types offered at Swenson Granite Works, has brought timeless style to buildings across the country for over a century.