January 13, 2022 – The Preservation Trust of Vermont announced today a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant of $75,000 to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House in Derby Line for slate roof restoration.

Built in 1904 on the border between Vermont and Quebec, the historic Haskell Free Library and Opera House is the only building in the world that houses both a library and an opera hall. It is also the only international library, and the only international opera house. The $75,000 Bruhn Grant grant will support the repair and restoration of the slate roof, one of the components of a building-wide upgrade, and a necessary step to completing restoration of the painted plaster ceilings and walls below it.

Once the comprehensive project is complete, the library and opera house will be able to operate year-round instead of only seasonally. Expanded operations and weekly performances have the potential to be an economic and cultural boom to the area since the Haskell is the only source of entertainment in this remote area of Vermont.