Super cool library where you are technically in two countries (Canada and America) at once in the lobby. You have to exit the same door you enter (i.e, enter the American door and exit from the American door.) I didn't get to tour the opera house, which is upstairs. read more

Haskell Free Library & Opera House - The Vermont/Canada border! - Performing Arts Near Me - Derby Line, Vermont

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An interesting place, you are technically at two countries at one. FREE entrance. Limited parking space but you can find more at some adjacent apts or at the gas station and just walkby. Well organized and clean place. Their restroom smells good too. See images for reference. read more

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We went for the tour, which was led by a lovely young woman and was super interesting. We came back in the evening for a movie! During the tour, we got tips for the movie and expectations about arrival time and seating (no worries, essentially). What a great memory. This was a "girls trip" and we had a great weekend! read more

THE COOLEST AND BEST LIBRARY IVE EVER BEEN TO PERIOD. What other establishment allows you to be in two places at the same time bordering two separate countries of Canada and the US, has a THEATER UPSTAIRS AND allows you to borrow books?? THIS PLACE IS A BEAUTIFUL GEM and a place of perfect peace created by the Haskell family. People have visited all over the world to come here and despite the political climate with the banning of books and libraries - THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL ESTABLISHMENT. There are so many community events for children and even elderly adults! As soon as you walk in you are greeted by volunteers and librarians alike and they will offer you a tour! BEST TOUR EVER because you are given the majestic history of this lovely place and you get to see the theatre! We were so inspired by this amazing place that we adopted a chair to remember our deceased children. We want to contribute to this place and make sure this library and theatre are alive for a long long time. Most of the library is in Canada and everyone here is bilingual. This is truly a beautiful, sacred and special place to behold from the wooden unique furnishings, glass windows, gorgeous Italian tile fireplaces to the magnificent paintings of the theatre. They don't make them like they used to! No matter what LOVE TRUMPS HATE and this is a safe space where every race, gender, color and religion are welcome. Be cautious as to where you park and where you walk. Please be warned. This place is 1000000% worth going to with Evelyn is your tour guide! Everyone here is incredibly kind, understanding and friendly. Please support this library and theatre! Keep the arts and education alive! read more

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We came here to see the library as it sits on the Canadian and American border. The library workers were courteous and friendly. It is an old library, but it has historical value. There is a small parking lot on the side. They have books in English and in French for children and adults. The library is doing a fundraiser so we purchased a book to support the fundraising project to build an exit on the Canadian side. read more

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is a an international bridge and community embassy for the north country. It is a really cool and special place. Half of the Haskell is in the US and the other half is in Canada. This place is more than a library. It is a theater, national historic building and they offer community theater and hosts traveling shows and performance's. read more

If you head to this area of Vermont, then this is the #1 tourist attraction that you must see. The building is half in the US and half in Canada. Americans park on the parking lot or on the street on the US side. Canadians park on the street in Canada. People of both countries walk to the front door to enter. If you plan on walking around outside, familiarize yourself with the international border and do not cross it. There is a stone marker for the border next to the Haskell. Make sure you stay on your side of the border when taking pictures. Both countries are serious about that. Inside, the building is a beautiful Victorian with dark wood and furnishings. The librarians working there are from the US and Canada. They are very friendly and helpful. If they will let you upstairs to see the performance area, the that would really make your trip worthwhile. It's a very beautiful area. Try to catch one of the performances and you can sit and enjoy that area. read more

Honestly, it has been quite a while since I have been here -- probably 10+ years plus, but I know that not much about this place has changed. Not to mention that since Yelp does not have the ability for Canadian reviews, I had to write one which was as close to Canada as I could think of -- since I am part Canadian myself. So, as far as being close to Canada -- you couldn't get any closer -- this beautiful old building -- built at the turn of last century -- has quite a history and a tale to tell. If you like history, odd facts and old architecture, then this is the place for you. It is so close to Canada that half of the building is IN Canada. It even has BOTH a Canadian (Quebec) and American (Vermont) address. It has even been reported that when this building underwent renovations a few years ago, special permits and agreements had to be made in order to accommodate the building codes and workers from both sides of the border. Anyhow, they have a working Opera House with a full schedule of shows throughout the spring and summer months. The opera house is supposedly designed after the old Boston Opera House -- but on a smaller scale. The library itself has 20,000 books in both english and french and there is a deliniation across the floor which indicates the Canadian and American border which this building stradles. It is a bit out of the way, but if you are passing through this area,I highly recommend stopping for a quick tour (free, but donations accepted). read more

How cool is this place? Stuck in two tiny towns and split by an international border, this special little spot was a real treat to stumble upon on my road trip through the North East and Canada. The Haskell is not unique because it's a library and an opera house in one; it's special because the place has a distinct black line running through it to tell you when you've passed into another country. Can you imagine looking at fiction in the US before moving over to non-fiction in Canada? Imagine no more - the Haskell brings that idea to life. The surrounding area is beautiful as well, and I had one heck of a time taking photos/videos darting across the border where French Canadian signs reigned supreme. There's a little marker outside the Haskell to let you know you've crossed one way or the other, though it seems like one would quickly figure that out when the languages suddenly switch! It's a little out of the way, but it's certainly a grand experience as most things off the beaten path are. If you find yourself driving around Canada (Stanstead, Quebec to be precise) or Vermont, I can't recommend a stop over here. Just don't forget your passport - I went when the new rules for passport requirements into Canada weren't in place. While I assume the library doesn't mind, you'll have a hard time getting across otherwise. read more

A must-see if you are travelling this way to the Eastern Townships. How many other indoor places are there in the world where your left foot could be standing in one country and your right foot in another? Not to mention you don't need a passport to access the library. It is just so cool. Visited October, 2017 read more

Pros: World's only international opera house. Exciting to be in two countries at the same time. Recommend going on the guided tour, which takes place every hour. Cons: Opera house can only be seen during performance time or through a guided tour. read more

Got there too late to go in but the outside is beautiful. Well worth visiting. Be careful though. If you are coming from Canada you must stay on the sidewalk all the way to the front door. The US has bent the border rules to let you essentially enter the US in order to enter the library. The street is now blocked with large flower pots and there Is a huge sign that warns you not to enter the US illegally, i.e. don't step in the street, or you are subject to a $5,000 fine. Border Patrol has a car parked there and a camera on a pole watching you. The Canadians don't have any obvious heavy handedness there. Nice place to go if you like borders. read more