iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 23h

A detailed etching by Joan Williams c.1973 depicting slate tips, inclines and a few remnant drumhouses in North #Wales. #geology #thestoryofslate

050

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A nice lithograph by Bernard Cheese illustrating the extensive stonework common in #Welsh quarries c.1962. link.www.storyofslate.com/QOYqDj #geology #thestoryofslate

020

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Fantastic detail in this 1920 OS map: inclines, railways & mill buildings surrounding Blaenau #Ffestiniog, #Wales. #geology #thestoryofslate

1122

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Generalized geology of the Ardenne-Eifel area & Ardennes slate belt - apparently the first place where the term Boudin was used. #geology #thestoryofslate

000

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A more detailed geology map depicting a sliver of the 'Waterford' or Meetinghouse Slate in Waterford, #Vermont. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Great Southern & Western Railway transported Irish slate from the Valentia Quarry to Valentia port #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Pretty dramatic growth in the #Delabole Quarry, Cornwall between 1884 & 1905 in these OS maps. #geology #thestoryofslate

011

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Generalized geologic map depicting exposures of Meetinghouse Slate in Wateford, VT = another source of #Vermont slate. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

1896 cross sections from the Lake District, UK including the Skiddaw Slate within the Kirkstile Formation #geology #thestoryofslate

030

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Some nice photos of abandonded slate quarries in the English Lake District, UK. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

Reposted by John Van Hoesen, Ph.D.

Roj Smith 📷 @rojsmith.com · 15/09/2024

Welsh Slate Industry Cefn-y-waun Welsh Calvinist Methodist Chapel #dinorwig #photography

Slate gravestones in a cemetery, in the middle distance a Welsh chapel, in the distance slate tips and mountains.

0397

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Aerial view of the Mardasson quarry & WWII memorial in Bastogne, Belgium - part of the High-Ardenne slate belt #geology #thestoryofslate

020

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The quarries of #Easdale Island, Scotland are easily identified on this 6" Ordnance Survey map of Argyllshire c1875 #geology #thestoryofslate

041

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

An advertisement for stone-cutting services in Portland, #Maine from Barlett Adams - a very talented slate carver! #geology #thestoryofslate

021

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Remains of quarrymen barracks & rail carts in the Rhosydd Quarry near Blaenau Ffestiniog, #Wales by Jean Napier c1999

041

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Careful sorting and stacking of slate shingles at the Greaves' Wharf in Portmadog, #Wales #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Sequence of images capturing the 1896 'Great Blast' at the #Penrhyn Quarry, #Wales - they used 7 tons of gunpowder! #geology #thestoryofslate

020

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Similar to other regions in the USA following large urban fires, slate 'migrated' along rivers & railways to New Orleans #geology #thestoryofslate

030

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Sorting and splitting slate in a splitting shed of the #Honister Slate Quarry, #Cumbria. #geology #thestoryofslate

030

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A well-worn grandfather clock carved from a single block of slate. Provenance unknown #geology #thestoryofslate

031

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Detailed image of Penrhyn Quarry, North #Wales c1880s showing use of rails along benches and a few blast shelters. Very different from today's view! #geology #thestoryofslate

061

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

1912 map depicting the location of purple & green slates in the vicinity of Ransom Sound, #Newfoundland #geology #thestoryofslate

000

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Quite the hat collection in this image of the Whitesell Slate Quarry in Belfast, #Pennsylvania c.1904 #geology #thestoryofslate

000

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Historical slate quarries in #Swithland Leicestershire, UK - which was the source for many early Swithland gravestones, #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A fantasict visual summary of "Life In A Pennyslvania Slate Quarry" from Once A Week Magazine c.1890, depicting headframes, cableways, cable carriages, a signal shanty, trimming sheds, and slate banks. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Although #Vermont is best known for the Slate Valley, there were other smaller deposits located around the state. This stereoview depicts a railroad serving the dark black unfading slate that was quarried in and around Northfield, #VT #geology #thestoryofslate

030

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Hand-drawn map of the Cardigan Slate Works near Cwmerau, Cardiganshire in North #Wales depicting tramway locations #geology #thestoryofslate

040

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Aerial view of Blaenau Ffestiniog, #Wales with extensive slate tips - most moved by hand! #geology #thestoryofslate

052

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Hand-labeled sketch map of one of the slate belts cutting through North #Wales, Caernarfonshire c.1874 #geology #thestoryofslate

021

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Impressive saw advertised for use in milling structural slate, - although OSHA might be concerned with the 'open concept' setup... #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Gwyn Arvon translates to white or blessed Arvon; but really it means a house made of slate! Clapboard siding, shingles, window sills, and even wainscoting! in #Arvonia, #Virginia. #geology #thestoryofslate

000

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A simple but elegant beveling on a grave marker carved in slate from Monson, #Maine betraying the areas Scandinavian immigration. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One of the larger quarries in $Monson, #Maine now drowned but its retaining wall is still impressive & sturdy! #geology #thestoryofslate

021

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Impressive looking - albeit it small - former prison in Delta, #Pennsylvania made with Peach Bottom Slate & Cardiff Conglomerate #geology #thestoryofslate

030

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A slate monument carved from #Monson slate still holding an exceptional edge after 100+ years exposed to the #Maine elements. #geology #thestoryofslate

040

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A unique landscape dominated by slate tips being overtaken by a variety of successional species located in the now defunct quarry district of #Brownville, #Maine. #geology #thestoryofslate

171

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The Borough Hall located in Chapman, #Pennsylvania is also covered with the exceptionally detailed Chapman Slate. #geology #thestoryofslate

021

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

A slate cradle grave carved from Buckingham Slate found in Arvon Presbyterian Church cemetery, Arvonia, #Virginia.The love the dog-eared bible and the detailed monogram. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

One of the best photos I've seen illustrating the dry mortar techniques used to build & roof splitting sheds, signal huts, and quarrymen housing throughout North #Wales. #geology #thestoryofslate

182

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

An active quarry in Wind Gap, #Pennsylvania with both historical guy wires & carriage mounts alongside a modern backhoe & pump dock. #geology #thestoryofslate

020

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Another common issue with grave markers made using certain slates is the onslaught of ice and salt expansion between cleavage planes, which leaves many makers looking like the ends of a tattered book. #geology #thestoryofslate

041

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Homemade DIY carving for little Stuart in Buckingham Slate found in the Arvon Presbyterian Church cemetery, Arvonia, #Virginia. I find these vernacular markers through the slate regions and they always leave the deepest impression on me. #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Nice scalloped shingles with characteristic white staining identifying them as slates from the Lehigh Valley, #Pennsylvania. #geology #thestoryofslate

061

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Not all slates are durable... A lot of the Lehigh Valley slates in #Pennsylvania are relatively soft and contain impurities & lower silica content. #geology #thestoryofslate

050

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A plate depicting Medieval quarrying in #Angers, France displaying a suite of tools were used to remove water from the quarries. #geology #thestoryofslate

041

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A nice example of benching in modern quarry owned by the Buckingham Slate Company in Arvonia, #Virginia #geology #thestoryofslate

010

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A delicate touch on a grave marker carved in Buckingham Slate from the Arvon Presbyterian Church cemetery, Arvonia, #Virgnia. #geology #thestoryofslate

081

John Van Hoesen, Ph.D. @jvh-vt.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Restoration of quarryman housing in Coulsontown, #Pennsylvania a traditional Welsh-style house built from Cardiff Conglomerate to serve the nearby Peach Bottom slate quarries in Cardiff, #Maryland and Delta, Pennsylvania. #geology #thestoryofslate

020