Haskell Free Library and Opera House

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is a combined library and performance hall located on the international border between Derby Line, Vermont, United States, and Stanstead, Quebec, Canada. The building was completed in 1904 and was created as a shared cultural facility for both communities.

The interior contains a public library space and an opera house/auditorium within the same structure, with a painted line marking the Canada-United States boundary on the floor and walls. It functions as an active library with lending services and as a small performance venue that hosts concerts and community events.

Commissioned and donated by the Haskell family and completed in 1904, the building has served continuously as a library and performance venue for the adjacent border towns. Over time it has remained notable for its cross-border arrangement and for conservation efforts to keep both library services and live performances active in the same facility.

The building sits directly astride the international boundary in the village area where Derby Line meets Stanstead, with entrances and street access from both the Vermont and Quebec sides.

• International border line: A single building intentionally constructed to stand on the Canada-United States border, with a marked line through the interior showing the boundary.
• Date and function: Completed in 1904 and given to the two communities by the Haskell family, it continues to operate as both a public library and a performance venue.

What to See #

• Reading room: Public reading room that is bisected by the international boundary; shelving and seating span both the United States and Canada within the same interior space.
• Opera house: Performance auditorium and stage that share the building with the library; the stage and parts of the backstage areas lie on the Canadian side while much audience seating is on the U.S. side.