Help Us with our imposed overhaul
We need your help!
The City of Stanstead and the Haskell Free Library and Opera House are calling on the public and media to stand with us against the U.S. government’s unilateral decision to shut down the primary Canadian access point to this world-renowned, one-of-a-kind heritage landmark.
For over a century, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House has stood as a powerful symbol of unity and cross-border friendship—one of the only buildings in the world that quite literally connects two nations. This sudden closure not only limits off Canadian visitors from their shared history and threatens the very spirit of collaboration that has defined this institution for generations.
We refuse to let a border divide what history has built together. Join us to raise your voice and take action to protect this irreplaceable piece of our collective heritage.
Beyond the cultural and historical loss, this forced closure demands costly and unnecessary infrastructure overhauls to meet new border restrictions, placing an undue burden on both the library and the community it serves. These overhauls also need approval from both historical societies in both countries.
Use of funds:
We are tasked of creating a Canadian only entrance to this historical building, which includes
The City of Stanstead and the Haskell Free Library and Opera House are calling on the public and media to stand with us against the U.S. government’s unilateral decision to shut down the primary Canadian access point to this world-renowned, one-of-a-kind heritage landmark.
For over a century, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House has stood as a powerful symbol of unity and cross-border friendship—one of the only buildings in the world that quite literally connects two nations. This sudden closure not only limits off Canadian visitors from their shared history and threatens the very spirit of collaboration that has defined this institution for generations.
We refuse to let a border divide what history has built together. Join us to raise your voice and take action to protect this irreplaceable piece of our collective heritage.
Beyond the cultural and historical loss, this forced closure demands costly and unnecessary infrastructure overhauls to meet new border restrictions, placing an undue burden on both the library and the community it serves. These overhauls also need approval from both historical societies in both countries.
Use of funds:
We are tasked of creating a Canadian only entrance to this historical building, which includes
- Creation of parking lot with reduced mobility spots
- Reduced mobility access ramps and entrance
- Proper building entrance to the facility
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By EVA SOLLBERGER @STUCKINVERMONT
There aren't many places where you can knit with your feet in Canada and the rest of your body in the United States. But Hannah Miller found a craft table in the Haskell Free Library & Opera House where she could do just that. Located in Derby Line, Vt., and Stanstead, Québec, it is a rare library that straddles two nations — and has a theater. The international border runs through the building and is marked by a thick black line taped on the floor... Read the entire article... |
Haskell Free Library & Opera House
Founded in 1901, the Haskell Free Library & Opera House supports the cultural needs of the community on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, in both English and French, through access to information, reading material, a broad range of library services, and programming, as well as the visual and performing arts. As a heritage building and cultural centre, the Haskell Free Library & Opera House plays a critical role in enriching the lives of its members and the community.
Canadian members are allowed to cross the border by using the sidewalk and the entrance on the American side. However, visitors must be aware of three things :
- Visitors must carry valid ID
- Visitors are subject to search by border agents
- Cross-border meetings are prohibited
