Courtesy
A new U.S. government sign now blocks the former Canadian entrance to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, following a decision to restrict access from the Stanstead side

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House has long stood as a symbol of friendship between Canada and the United States, straddling the international border in the towns of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. But a recent decision by the U.S. government to close the entrance to the building (located on U.S. soil) to Canadians has sparked a wave of international support—and a GoFundMe campaign that has exceeded all expectations.

Launched on Mar. 20 by the library, the fundraiser initially aimed to raise $100,000 to build a new, fully accessible Canadian entrance. As of March 28, over $170,000 has been donated by more than 2,600 contributors. The funds will be used to install a new door, mobility-accessible ramps, and a proper sidewalk, among other upgrades.

“We didn’t know how much it would cost at the beginning,” said Sylvie Boudreau, President of the Haskell Library’s Canadian board, in a March 28 interview. “We just wanted to make something basic—a concrete sidewalk, a proper entrance, a nice door.”

The scope of the renovations will depend on how much money can ultimately be raised. Boudreau hopes the funds will allow for more than just functionality: “It would be nice if we could put back some granite or some bricks—something beautiful.”

The building’s original Canadian entrance—located at the rear—is currently unwelcoming and difficult to access, especially for visitors with reduced mobility. The new entrance would not only meet accessibility standards but also restore a sense of pride for Canadian patrons.

Louise Penny, bestselling Canadian author and longtime supporter of the library, contributed $50,000 directly to the Haskell Foundation. According to Boudreau, this route allows Canadian donors to receive a charitable tax receipt, unlike GoFundMe, which does not offer this option.

The library has seen an outpouring of emotional support since the announcement. “It’s crazy how the people rose above,” said Boudreau. “People are hugging each other. The reaction is like—we are all friends.” Both Canadians and Americans have been stopping by the library in person, offering donations and encouragement.

“We have people stopping by, giving us money. This reunited them,” she said, adding that the sense of shared purpose has been powerful. “People are just like themselves—American, Canadians—it’s such a great message.”

International media outlets have also taken note. “Even I had one [interview] at quarter to midnight last night with BBC UK,” said Boudreau. “We’re going to have people from Japan next week. We’ve had people from Sweden. I mean, it’s crazy.”

While the GoFundMe page was originally intended to support entrance renovations alone, the unexpected success of the campaign has sparked broader conversations about restoring other parts of the historic building. “We haven’t discussed yet if we’re going to stop it or not. The whole building needs a lot of repairs also,” said Boudreau.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government has placed a new sign at the former Canadian access point, a gesture that underscores the gravity of the closure. Donations can still be made via the GoFundMe campaign or directly to the Haskell Library Foundation for those seeking Canadian tax receipts. As one donor put it on the fundraiser page: “Don’t build fences. Build longer tables.”