About Kinstone
At its heart, Kinstone is a land restoration and human rejuvenation project. This 30 acre site is a modern megalithic garden on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in the Driftless Region of Western Wisconsin. It is a place of art and creative expression on a grand scale. Love of the earth and wonder at the mystery and beauty of the story that we find ourselves in is at its core. Founded by Kristine Beck in 2010, Kinstone is a deeply energetic place where people come and find they are “re-membered” and transformed in some way by the land, stone, sky and natural world.
Many visitors come to see the natural buildings, the megalithic art, walk the labyrinth or to make a pilgrimage along the Way of the Stones. Others come to participate in various events such as healing sound concerts, drum circles, group meditation sessions, celebrations on the holy days on the great wheel of the seasons (i.e. solstices and equinoxes and others), and more. This private property is open to the public on a published schedule. There is an admission fee to enter. Details can be found here: Plan Your Visit. Kinstone is also available for rental for various events such as daytime retreats, yoga, meditation, martial arts groups and for small weddings, small group gatherings, and meetings.
During self-guided visits you can expect to spend a couple of hours wandering a wonderland that seems as if it is from another time and place. Private, guided tours are possible by special arrangement.
At all times, visitors should come prepared for a walk in the elements. Bring a water bottle, sunblock for sunny days, a walking staff, dress for the weather (sun hat, rain coat, umbrella for sun or rain, etc), wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to walk rough and sometimes steep terrain. There is not much shade just yet (the trees are still quite young); plan accordingly. Find more information here: Plan Your Visit and find us here: Directions.
Vision / Mission / Values
Vision: We envision a world where all beings have access to sacred spaces where the interdependence of all creation is recognized and life is affirmed.
Mission: Kinstone blends conscious care of Earth with art to form sacred spaces that invite and inspire people to connect with and experience the creative power of the land to transform, energize and ultimately revive the whole person.
Values we hold dear:
- Love
- Wonder
- Gratitude
- Relationship
- Kindness
- Compassion
- Hospitality
- Transformation
- Creativity
- Care of earth
- Care of people
Founder
Kristine Beck is the founder and creator of Kinstone. She purchased this 30-acre section of the original family dairy farm she was raised on from her parents, Roman and Angeline Bork, in 1994. She is the 4th generation on her father’s side to work on this land. An entrepreneur at heart, she returned to her family land to build Kinstone after successfully selling a software company she had started in 2001 with a business partner. Kristine now dedicates her time and energy to Kinstone where she is blending conscious care of the Earth with art to form sacred spaces that invite and inspire people to experience the life-giving power of the land to transform, energize and revive the whole person. She manages all aspects of Kinstone as well as facilitates sacred walks there and hosts monthly women’s circle gatherings, group meditations and more. Kristine is an amateur photographer focusing on the beauty and wonder of nature, especially as seen at Kinstone. Her current, self-appointed title is Land Listener a job requiring her to listen to the land and help it fulfill its apparent mission to exchange life-giving energy with all beings.
Team
Kinstone is currently managed by Kristine Beck and seasonally one or two part-time persons who help take care of the grounds, gardens and gift shop.
There have been many key persons who have helped manifest this amazing place since Kristine started planning in 2010 and building in 2011. Each one has been woven into the story and is an integral part of the overall pattern that is Kinstone. Thank you to each one for his or her inspiration, work and weaving.
History
A Brief History of Kinstone
Kinstone was founded in 2011 by Kristine Beck upon the Wisconsin farmland where she grew up. This land has been in Kristine’s family for 4 generations and there are deep roots here. Her family had farmed it with hay/corn/oats fields on top of the ridge and using the steeper, lower areas and the woods to pasture young cattle. She bought the land in 1994 and let it rest until she started planning in 2010 and brought the first stones here in 2011. The idea of Kinstone originated as a personal place, a “place to be”. Kristine went off to work as most of us do but then, around her 48th year, decided to come back to the land. She wanted to build a stone circle and create a peaceful sanctuary for herself to retreat to. Having visited many stone places in the world, she felt compelled to create one she could inhabit. Kinstone has become Kristine’s life work and she continues to create her mega-art here adding features as they wish to be created. Kristine says that she is now a professional “land listener”; her job is to listen to the land and help it fulfill its apparent mission to exchange energy with all beings to invite and inspire all to grow stronger in body, mind, and spirit – to transform for health and happiness – to awaken to our One-ness.
Kinstone is the manifestation of Kristine’s vision for a place to “re-member” and strengthen her connections to the land, Nature, God, self, and community. As it has grown, Kristine has realized that the magnitude of this special place has proven to be too great not to be shared. Kristine envisions Kinstone as a place for all beings to reconnect with what is important to them whether that means connections with earth and stone or with soul and spirit or (more likely) both. Using the resources available, with the help of several key people, and relying upon the master teacher we have in Nature, Kinstone has evolved into a sacred place of peace and beauty; a power-place that will transcend time. It will stand as a legacy to future generations.
A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY:
- 2010: Started Planning
- 2011: Built the Stone Circle and the Labyrinth; set Atlas & Lancelot, Energy Stones, the Summer Solstice Corridor and others
- 2012: Started the Chapel, built the Circle of Mystery, the Family & the Traveler, and the Dolmen; built the Kinstone Education Center building; began teaching natural building workshops here
- 2013: Completed the Thatched, Cordwood Chapel, began building the Light-Straw-Clay Cabin; built the utility shed; began teaching permaculture courses here
- 2014: Began the cordwood Sauna, began the Dragon’s Keep as a cob-wood structure; built the Three Witnesses sculpture; restructured the Stargazer Circle, continued work on the Light-Straw-Clay Cabin
- 2015: Completed the cordwood Sauna; completed the Light-Straw-Clay Cabin; built the Rocket Mass Heater, continued work on the Dragon’s Keep – changed to traditional cordwood
- 2016: Continued work on the Dragon’s Keep
- 2017: Completed the Dragon’s Keep; completed the Star Wall
- 2018: Set the Harp Stone and the RPK Memorial Stone; created the “megalithic walkway” from the Dragon’s Keep to the parking lot; added information kiosks with message boards and payment boxes for visitors; began charging a fee to enter and be at Kinstone
Click on the following links for additional information and slightly more detailed timeline of events each year in the design and development of Kinstone. Note: THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.
Articles / Press / Weblinks
Throughout its history, various feature stories, blog posts and articles have been published about Kinstone. Some of the ones we know about are listed here and as new ones are known they will be added:
2018-JUN-20 – News 8 Eye Piece – Kinstone – VIDEO NEWS FEATURE
2017-OCT-04 Roof Thatch portfolio – Kinstone Chapel Thatched Roof – VIDEO POST by Tom Sweeney
2017-OCT-03 – Life at the End of the Rainbow Valley – Kinstone – BLOG POST by Chaseburgmama
2017-OCT-01 – Explore To Grow – Kinstone, Oasis de Vie – BLOG POST by Laura (American) and Agathe (French) – travelers who volunteered for a day
2017-JUN-24 – Cordwood Construction at Kinstone – BLOG POST by Richard Flatau of Cordwood Construction
2017-APR-26 – Kristine Beck, Megalithic Art at Kinstone, Winona Daily News – ART COLUMN (part of River Arts Alliance)
2017-MAR-17 – Winona State University (WSU) Improving Our World – BLOG POST by Lisa Daraskevich (learn sustainability at Kinstone)
2016-AUG-16 – WXOW – Hometown Tourist Feature Story – VIDEO NEWS FEATURE
2015-JAN/FEB – Articles written by Kristine Beck about the Chapel
1) Kinstone Chapel: Cordwood, Stone and Thatch
2) Kinstone Chapel: Signs and Symbols
2014-JUN-12 – LaCrosse Tribune – Cordwood Homes offer DIY Housing – NEWS FEATURE
2014-MAR-28 – Great Lakes Permaculture Portal – Kristine Beck of Kinstone Toward the Future by Connecting With the Past – BLOG POST by C. Milton Dixon (no longer available!)
2013-SEP-11 – Winona Daily News – Kinstone aims to teach people how to learn from and love the land – NEWS FEATURE
2012-AUG-22 – New York Times, Made by Druids, Loved By Dragons – NEWS FEATURE (Your Own Private Stonehenge)
2012-JUL-22 – Bluff Prairie Hollow – Natural Building Workshop at Kinstone – BLOG POST by Kaitlyn O’Connor
2011-JUL-27 – New York Times, Permaculture Grows From Underground – NEWS FEATURE (references Kris Beck envisioning a megalithic sanctuary!)
In addition, there are several travel and tourism websites as well as websites of artists and designers that include pages about Kinstone. Here are some of them:
TRAVEL/TOURISM WEBLINKS:
Wisconsin Great River Road – Kinstone
Fountain City Wisconsin Business Pages – Kinstone
ARTS WEBLINKS
River Arts Alliance – Kinstone
Fox and Swan Arts, Rick Swanson – webpage about Kinstone and photographs
HISTORICAL WEBLINKS
FAQs
We find that many persons have similar questions as they meander through Kinstone. Here you will find brief answers to many Frequently Asked Questions related to Kinstone and permaculture. If you have other questions, please contact us and we will be happy to get back to you with answers as quickly as we can.
This is a partial list of the megaliths at Kinstone. (There are many other stones not yet listed here.)
Basin Rock – this beautiful Rockville Beige granite stone is hollowed out like a cupped hand or clamshell. It is intended to hold water and often does. It offers water to the land in a gesture of openness and giving. This rock sits to the south of Kinstone Circle and overlooks the Stargazer Circle.
The Stargazer Circle – a small elliptical or egg-shaped circle of stones to the west of Kinstone Circle with ties to the darkness – a place to gather around a bonfire or enjoy a night of stargazing. This circle was originally set in 2011 but was significantly changed in 2014. It consists of 9 stones in an elongated circle with a fire circle in the middle. The black slate rock is called Night, next to that is the table-stone and benches that is a portion of the Pangea Stone, then the two star-gazers, followed by the tall reddish stone called the Reflection Stone (it reflects firelight), then Three-Scratch Boudler, a large gray stone, The Milky Way, and the White Seat. [Note: This circle was originally built in 2011 and described like this: The black rock called Night, the variegated rock called Milky Way, the western sentinel called Pyramid Rock, and the two Stargazer rocks (recumbent stones that are perfect reclining spots from which to gaze at the stars) are interspersed with sitting boulders.]
The Energy Stones a.k.a. The Mosaic Alignment – these three stones, also called the Energy Alignment, stand on the true north meridian between the center of Kinstone Circle and the center stone of the Labyrinth and it goes through through the North Stone. This alignment is an energy pathway connecting the Circle to the Labyrinth. These three stones were all part of one larger stone called Mosaic. Mosaic was split into these three separate columns which now stand apart. [Fun fact: these three stones were intended to stand together in the same order as they were when they were one stone, but the first and second stones were accidentally switched. This was not discovered until much later and so, they now stand out of order.]
Greensleeves and Cosmos – these two stones sit below the Labyrinth and to the west of the Watcher and Purple Crystal. Greensleeves is also called the Anchor Stone. It is a Rockville Beige granite stone with a greenish hue on its face. It stands below the Labyrinth on the same north line as the Energy Stones and acts as an anchor or backstop for your gaze as you look to the North from Kinstone Circle down to and beyond the Labyrinth. Cosmos is a Rainbow granite column with a swirling beauty reminiscent of cosmic dust. Cosmos is a brother to Grace (near the Pond); Grace and Cosmos were part of a single stone at one time.
Purple Crystal and The Watcher – below the Labyrinth, under a red oak tree, rests Purple Crystal, a recumbent Purple Crystal granite stone that reminds one of a bison or cow lying at its leisure in the shade. This stone is a special guardian of Kinstone and is representative of Ivan McBeth, the stone circle builder who assisted with the building of Kinstone Circle. Behind Purple Crystal stands The Watcher; a Charcoal granite column which looks as if it may be a house or home. The Watcher attends to Purple Crystal and the area around and below the Labyrinth. [Fun fact 1: Ivan McBeth was here for the setting of Purple Crystal. He did not want to have “his” stone lying down, instead he wanted to be a standing stone; however, often when he was at Kinstone during the building of the Circle, Ivan could be found lying on the earth, propped up on one elbow, waiting for the next time he was needed. Kristine saw Purple Crystal as a reflection of that. So, she decided to keep him lying down. Further, Ivan loudly protested that he would be all alone lying under that oak and needed a companion – this is the sole reason the Watcher was placed where it is – just to be with and watch over Ivan.] [Fun fact 2: The Watcher was originally erected as a standing stone in the stone circle – it was where “Cave” is now. Ivan and Kristine simultaneously determined that it was just “not right” where it was. So, it was removed. When it became “The Watcher” it was erected in the opposite way (upside down) from how it had stood in the circle. The stone had a crack in it on the end that was now pointing up – this crack was expanded during the first winter and the back half of the stone calved off. The Watcher still stands as always, but that other section was moved and became the last one to join the Monks near the chapel.]
Limestone Lane – in the Pines near the Labyrinth, a series of limestone rocks form a lane one can wander down under the pine canopy. These chunks of limestone came out of the fields of Kinstone in past times and were removed and set to the side by my grandfather, my father, and my brother. It seemed fitting that these limestone lovelies would find a place to be enjoyed by the kith and kin of this place. There are four flat stones on the southwest side of the lane: The Turtle, The Giant’s Footprint, The Pigstone, and The Moonstone. Across from these are two standing stones to the northeast: The Anvil and The Howler. Finally, at the head of the lane on the northeast is the boulder called The Heartstone.
Atlas and Lancelot Marcél (a.k.a. the Wise One) – a special pair of stones that are part of an Equinox Alignment and that represent a metaphor for the world. The large block of Carnelian granite, Atlas, is the largest megalith at Kinstone, weighing in at 70,000 pounds. Lancelot Marcél (also called the Wise One), a Charcoal granite pillar with 19 drill holes perforating it from head to toe stands nearby. The beautiful but cracked and broken Atlas represents the world while the knightly figure of the Lancelot represents the teachers and wise ones whose knowledge and insight fairly shines through them and enlightens the world. Lancelot is aligned such that the setting Equinox sun casts its shadow onto Atlas and the light shines through its perforations and illuminates the shadow on Atlas with an intriguing row of lights.
The Borderlands – two stones evocative of the shapes of the states of Minnesota (Rainbow granite) and Wisconsin (Rockville White granite) with a beautiful Autumn Brown granite column resting recumbent between them representing the Mississippi River. After a rain, the uneven surface of the Mississippi River stone holds puddles of water which lends credence to its river theme. This Autumn Brown column is a sister to Beauty, the Autumn Brown stone in the center of Kinstone Circle, these two were once part of a single, larger stone.
The Summer Solstice Corridor (a.k.a. The Corridor Stones) – there are six columns in the pond which form a corridor to usher in the Summer Solstice Sunrise to the center of Kinstone Circle. There are two Rockville White granite columns, two Carnelian granite columns, and two Charcoal granite columns each pair of which were split from single stones – making them kin. Far beyond the pond and to the east are two more pairs of Rainbow granite columns forming more of this same corridor. One pair is inside the gate and one pair is on the very edge of the property. They stand as Guardians and Ushers to the sunrise on the Summer Solstice. These four Rainbow granite pillars all came from a single stone and one can still see how the characteristics of each stone line up with similar characteristics on its sisters.
Grace, The Hedgehog and The High Seat – near the pond and the round Rockville White granite picnic table stand three stones. Grace is a lovely Rainbow granite stone full of movement and swirling stone flows. She is a sister to Cosmos (near Greensleeves below the Labyrinth) and stands next to the Hedgehog near the Pond. The Hedgehog is a Rainbow granite stone remindful of the hedgehog, complete with an inquisitive eye. The Hedgehog is surrounded by small, rounded granite river rocks. The High Seat is a Rockville White granite monolith with a triangular seat. Sit upon this seat to enjoy the Kinstone vista. [Fun fact: the High Seat was originally supposed to be in the outer ring of Kinstone Circle, but was determined to be too small for the space; the stone known as Twenty Two now stands there instead.]
The Water Dragon (a.k.a. Pier Rock II) – this large, 44,000 pound wedge of Carnelian granite is cantilevered out over the edge of the pond. Although it looks like a diving board, it is not! The pond is not deep enough for diving!! Instead, this is an artistic pier that beckons you to walk out where you can view the pond from above.
The Fountain Stone (a.k.a. Rainbow Fountain) – this 28,750 pound Morton gneiss stone is shaped with a smooth and sloping face which makes it perfect as a fountain. A hole drilled through this stone to allow a water pipe to pass through it to form a running water feature in the pond. The stone took its place on February 24, 2012 on which day we began filling the pond. The cold weather following its installation caused it to temporarily become a stunning ice fountain with sheets and folds of windblown ice all around it.
The Chair Rocks – these two large Rockville Beige granite chairs are two halves of what was a single large stone bench. They sit to the east of Kinstone Circle and frame the Winter Solstice Sunrise. These chairs represent Kristine’s parents, Angie and Roman Bork. The larger one to the south represents Roman and the smaller one to the north represents Angie. Just as the gentle farmer, Roman, waited and watched for the Winter Solstice and celebrated when the days would begin to lengthen, so he waits here. Together these stones oversee Kinstone Circle and connect all of the kin.
Kinstone Circle is a large stone circle built by Kristine Beck. A circle of megaliths measuring 81.6 feet in diameter (30 megalithic yards, 1 megalithic yard = 2.72 feet or 82.96 cm). There are nineteen (19) stones in the ring that forms the circle. There are nineteen (19) smaller boulders that form an inner ring. There are three stones in the center of the circle. Nineteen is an auspicious number in sacred geometry; it symbolizes the spiritual nature of a place. Kinstone Circle is a sacred space that is dedicated to family and connections with generations before us and those that will come after us.
The stones in the circle are a mix of granites from Coldspring Granite Company including Carnelian, Charcoal, Rockville White, Rockville Beige, Autumn Brown, Mesabi Black, and Rainbow granite. Four stones mark the cardinal directions, North, South, East, and West. Two stones frame the Summer Solstice Sunrise and two frame the Winter Solstice Sunrise. Ten of the stones represent Kristine and her siblings. Others represent other alignments. The inner circle of boulders, called the Sitting Stones, offer a place for those that wish to sit awhile in the Circle. All of the Sitting Stones are rounded boulders except for the one in front of the North Stone – that one is flat and is meant to be a place where visitors can lie down in the energy of the North Star. The three center stones, called the Trinity, represent the Source of all life energy, God, or whatever one might name that Nameless Oneness. We are all of and one with the Source and Kinstone Circle is a monument to our connections.
Starting with the North Stone (Castor) and going clockwise around the circle, these are the stones as Kristine named them at the quarries: Castor; Twenty-Two; Cave; Gandalf the Grey; Betelgeuse (the East Stone); Curved Monolith; Pollux; Obelisk 2; Human Figure; Zeus (the South Stone); Triangle Square; Moby Dick; Obelisk; Mountain Mist; Artemis (the West Stone); Sister Stone; The Red Dragon; Wavy 3; and Mountain Sister.
Many of the stones in the circle are siblings with another stone; i.e. they are stones that were once part of a single larger stone. This is true of Mountain Mist and Mountain Sister; Obelisk and Obelisk 2; Eternity (a.k.a. Wavy 2) and Wavy 3; Gandalf the Grey and The Watcher (below the Labyrinth near Purple Crystal); Castor and Pollux; and Beauty (a.k.a. Autumn Brown 1 in the center) is a sister stone to the Autumn Brown recumbent column in the Borderlands that represents the Mississippi River.
The North Star Energy Stone is the flat, fish-shaped, Rainbow granite slab of stone lying in the inner circle between the Trinity and the North Stone (a.k.a. Castor). This stone represents a place where one can sit or lie down in the energy of the North Star. It is a place where the North Star can be found to be shining (day or night – whether visible or not) directly above the tip of the North Stone. This feature was a suggestion of the stone circle builder who worked with me to raise this circle, Ivan McBeth. Great care was taken to ensure the alignment was correct. [Fun fact: during construction, a couple of days after we had set the North Stone, we checked the alignment of this stone with Polaris as seen from the center of the circle on a crisp and clear starry night – it was not quite right; so, we actually moved the North Stone to the right about 16 inches – a major operation but very much worth it!]
Eternity, Beauty, and Illumination are the three center stones in Kinstone Circle. They were originally called Wavy 2 (Rockville White granite), Autumn Brown 1 (Autumn Brown granite), and Ke-Mesabi (Mesabi Black granite). It is an interesting fact that these stones, which seem to be only about three to four feet tall, are really over 14 feet, 12 feet, and 7 feet tall respectively. The majority of these stones is buried in the earth. This was a design decision that was unexpected and unplanned but that turned out perfectly! These stones were originally planned to stand tall like the other stones in the circle. After seeing the circle nearly complete, Kristine decided she did not want to stand tall stones in the center that would obscure the view from one side of the circle to the other. Ivan McBeth suggested that we set them in the earth very deep to get them well below eye level. Just like an iceberg of which only the tip is visible; so it is with these special stones – their real mass and power are below the surface. These three have come to symbolize the power of the invisible. It also is a metaphor for that old saying “as above, so below”. These stones are mirror images of the stones in the outer ring.
A megalith is a very large stone. The word ‘megalith’ comes from the Ancient Greek μέγας or megas meaning ‘great’ and λίθος or lithos, meaning ‘stone’. According to Wikipedia: “A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.”
There are over 100 megaliths of various sizes at Kinstone.
Yes, there are two designated parking areas at Kinstone. When you arrive, please look for signage and follow posted directions. Please do not park on the road. Please do not turn around in neighbor’s driveways.
If you have any questions about parking when you arrive, please inquire in the Education Center building.
The Kinstone property has limited access for persons with disabilities. We are committed to helping everyone have the best experience possible while visiting or attending an event course at Kinstone. If you use a wheelchair or have any other mobility impairment or specific requirements please let us know in advance of visiting or registering for events to ensure we can meet your needs.
Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, coined the word permaculture in 1978, with input from and collaboration with David Holmgren, one of his students at the time. It is a contraction of “permanent agriculture”, or “permanent culture”. Permaculture is a system of design for creating sustainable human habitats that mimic patterns found in nature. It is based on relationships. The fact that all things are interconnected and interrelated is an underlying foundational concept. We are all KIN!
Permaculture is guided by the following three overarching ethics:
- Care of the Earth: includes the care of all living and non-living things, plants, animals, land, water, air
- Care of People: promotes self-reliance and community responsibility and access to resources necessary for existence
- Reinvesting the surplus: setting limits to population and consumption; and giving back any surplus yield to earth and people.
Yield is an important concept in permaculture. System yield is the sum total of surplus energy produced by, stored, conserved, reused, or converted by the design. Energy is in surplus once the system itself has available all its needs for growth, reproduction and maintenance. Unused surplus results in pollution and more work.
More information can be found about permaculture on our Permaculture page and/or our LINKS page.
The word KINSTONE is a concatenation of Kin + Stone. Kin means family, whether by blood or by other bonds, it refers to all those that you are related to. Stone means just what it says, STONE. This place is dedicated to connections between us – all generations past, present and future as well as the interrelated and interdependent connections we have to the earth and all the animals, plants, minerals, and elements – everything. All are KIN! The stones and geometries here are symbolic of many things including stability, grounding, soaring, cycle of life, seasons, beginnings and more beginnings… on and on. Each person may find their own meanings as they come to know this sacred place.
What’s Happening @KinstoneCircle
Our Mission
Kinstone blends conscious care of Earth with art to form sacred spaces that invite and inspire people to connect with and experience the creative power of the land to transform, energize and ultimately revive the whole person.
Visitor Comments
“What a wonderful, magical place!” ~Marcy K, Madison, WI
“Tranquility and amazement. Thoroughly enjoyed the energy.” ~Martha L., Eagan, MN
“This place is a blessing to all those who enter.” ~Cecilia M.