The Haskell Free Library and Opera House (Otherwise known as Bibliothèque et salle d’opéra Haskell) is a Library and Opera House that is located directly on the USA/Canadian border. But this positioning was no mistake. It was built on the international border line so that Canadians and Americans would have equal access to the Library and Opera House and so they chose to build on the border. Let’s take a look at this fascinating building that is totally unique.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is situated in Rock Island, Quebec and Derby Line in Vermont.
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
In fact, the library has two addresses: 93 Caswell Avenue, Derby Line, Vermont, and 1 rue Church, Stanstead, Quebec.
Flickr/Stan Hieronymus
The library collection and the opera stage are located in Stanstead, but the main entrance and most opera seats are located in Derby Line.
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
Because of this, the Haskell is sometimes called “the only library in the U.S.A. with no books.”
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
As well as “the only opera house in the U.S.A. with no stage.”
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
The international line is clearly visible inside this peaceful and beautiful building.
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
There is no entrance from Canada, however there is an emergency exit on the Canadian side of the building. All patrons and visitors must use the US entrance to access the building.
Flickr/Al
People from Canada are permitted to enter the US door without needing to report to customs, providing they return to Canada immediately upon leaving the building.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Construction began in 1901. The Opera House opened in 1904 and the Library followed in 1905.
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
It was a gift from Mrs. Martha Stewart Haskell and her son Col. Horace “Stewart” Haskell.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM No, not that Martha Stewart!
Interesting rumor debunked:
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House The opera house was rumored to be modeled after the old Boston Opera House in a scaled down fashion which seats 400 people, but the Boston Opera house was built afterwards.
It’s still a wonderful place to see a concert, no matter which country you sit in!
Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
The library has a collection of more than 20,000 books in French and English. So you can get a book in one country and read it in another!
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
You’ll never see a place quite like the Haskell Free Library and Opera House anywhere else in the world!
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Just outside the Haskell Free Library and Opera House in VT is a row of flower pots in a small Vermont town that means more than you realize.
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Facebook/ Haskell Free Library & Opera House
Flickr/Stan Hieronymus
Flickr/Al
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
No, not that Martha Stewart!
The opera house was rumored to be modeled after the old Boston Opera House in a scaled down fashion which seats 400 people, but the Boston Opera house was built afterwards.
