We decided to have fun with borders at Haskell Free Library & Opera House in honor of the celebrations of both Independence Day in the United States and Canada Day in Canada, as this historic structure straddles the border between the two countries.
Fun With Borders: Haskell Free Library & Opera House
Marked with a cornerstone that the building was founded in 1901, the Haskell Free Library & Opera House was purposely constructed straddling the border between the United States and Canada and supports the cultural needs of the community on both sides of that 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.
The border is loosely closed off to people crossing over from one country to another.
On the other side of the border is the entrance on the Canada side of the border, which is located on the other side of the building on 1, rue Church in Stanstead in Québec.
Entering the building from the main entrance in the United States reveals what appears to be a normal working library — but a nondescript black diagonal line adhered across the floor proves otherwise, as that is the border between the United States and Canada. Two small flags on the left — of the United States and Canada — also informally mark the border between the two countries.
The reception desk is located mostly in Canada, with a small triangular portion of the floor located in the United States.
The border also traverses the section of the library that is dedicated to children, which offers books in both English and French.
Adjacent to the large painting of a portrait of Martha Stewart Haskell is a mission statement in both English and French which has printed on it:
MISSION
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is an international dynamic, non-profit organization of historical importance that offers affordable library services, as well as a venue for cultural performances and activities.
Unique in the world, the Haskell sits directly on the Canadian and American border serving surrounding communities.
The Haskell is committed to ensuring a smooth transition, from generation to generation while respecting the legacy left by the Haskell family and adapt to continuous and ongoing change.
This structure is doubly unusual: it not only straddles the Canada-United States boundary but also contains the rare combination of a library and a theatre. Built between 1901 and 1904 as the gift of the Haskell family of Vermont, it testifies to the late Victorian belief in the intellectual and moral benefits of education and the arts. Its Queen Anne Kevival style, as designed by James Ball, is typical of public libraries of the period. The second storey opera house follows accepted principles of 19th-century theatre design and its ornate interior seats 500 people.
The ornate mosaic tile work on the floor in front of the desk sports the logo of the Haskell Free Library & Opera House. We opted to take the tour of the opera house upstairs.
The Opera House On the Second Floor
The box office to the opera house was closed because no production was scheduled at the time that we visited the building.
I saw the stationary wooden chairs arranged permanently in a semicircle facing towards the stage when I first walked in to the opera house area of the building.
The boards of the floor creaked as I smelled the classic scent of the old wood. I was in awe.
The view of the stage from the rear of the auditorium is partially obscured by the balcony above.
The stage was surrounded by original art work — including the curtain itself, which is known as a scenery painting.
At least five curtains with original artwork were used on stage over the years at the Haskell Free Library & Opera House, according to a framed collection of photographs of the scenery paintings that hangs in the back of the opera house:
THE WORK OF ERWIN LAMOSS
The Haskell’s stage sets and roll-drop curtain were painted by Vermont-born artist Erwin LaMoss (1854-1910). At the age of 15 LaMoss went to Boston to study the art of scenery painting. He practiced his craft for over forty years and became one of the best known and respected artists of his genre in the United States.
He assisted T.B. Glessing at the prestigious Boston Museum before becoming head painter in 1884. His work also graced the stages of : The Colonial, The Tremont, The Hallis Street Theatre, The Gaiety, The Bijou and the Howard Atheneum.
LaMoss was only 48 when he painted the Haskell sets, the only known surviving examples of his work. Present day professionals dealing with historical theatre design, consulting and restoration services marvel at the quality of LaMoss’s work and readily admit that artists of his caliber do not exist today.
Decorative painting was very much in vogue at the turn of the twentieth century.
Often a theatre would have two stock sets which they would use over and over again while others would be painted as needed right over the existing paintings. Scenery was a functioning art form which needed to be economical and quickly executed. The costs of the scenery consisted of the water based paints and binder (distemper), a medium weight canvas, the wooden batons and the labor to put it all together.
The Haskell sets are rare period pieces. That they are still in existence today is incredible.
The scenery and curtain were delivered by train from Boston. Mr. LaMoss was paid $800 U.S. for his services.
Unfortunately, I was told that the only original scenery painting that still currently exists is the one that is in the photographs seen in this article.
Ornate reliefs and cherubs grace the front of the balcony above the seats.
The photograph above shows a closer look at the ornate reliefs with a cherub.
This painting on the wall above the stage is one of many original works of art that adorn the walls of the opera house.
One can choose a seat in which one part of his or her body is in Canada while the other part is in the United States, as noted by the black line on the floor.
The electrical lighting fixture on the ceiling overhead.
One can see the border between the United States and Canada outside of the window of the opera house on the second floor. Be warned that even though no one can be seen, the area along the border is under surveillance; and anyone who crosses the border illegally will be approached.
Printed on the white sign outside are the words:
STOP.
DO NOT CROSS.It is illegal to enter Canada from here. You will be arrested and may be returned to the United States.
Refugee claimants must request protection in the first safe country they arrive in.
We used the exits for both Canada and the United States. Shh…do not tell anyone — especially not the Customs and Border Protection of the United States.
Final Boarding Call
I did not document how many times I crossed the border back and forth — both purposely and not realizing it — while I was in the Haskell Free Library & Opera House; but for anyone who has never been to Canada or the United States, the Haskell Free Library & Opera House is a great, unique, and even fun introduction to either country, as it offers history, architecture, thousands of books to read, and shows upstairs in the opera house if you are able to catch one.
A look at the interactive map below reveals that the Haskell Free Library & Opera House is not the only building that straddles the border of the United States and Canada. Private homes also straddle the border as well. Could you imagine sleeping in your bedroom in the United States and dining in your kitchen in Canada — all in your home? A treaty actually exists that ensures residents only pay taxes once on the same income by allowing homeowners to use foreign tax credits to offset what they owe — but that is a complicated subject that is not a part of the topic of this article.
Haskell Free Library & Opera House
93 Caswell Avenue
Derby Line, Vermont 05830
United States of America
1 Church Street
Stanstead, Québec J0B 3E2
Canada
1-888-626-2060
info@haskelloperahouse.org
Operating Hours
Tuesday through Friday: 10:00 in the morning through 5:00 in the afternoon
Saturday: 10:00 in the morning through 4:00 in the afternoon
Sunday and Monday: Closed
No admission is charged to visit the library or for a tour of the opera house; but donations are suggested. Guided tours of the library and opera house are ten dollars per adult and free for children who are younger than 12 years of age.
Limited free parking is available at the rear of the building.
Note that cross-border visits and reunions of family members or friends are not allowed.
All photographs ©2026 by Brian Cohen.
