With contributions of the Centre d'aide aux entreprises of Memphremagog (CAE), and of the MRC Memphremagog, through its Programme d'aide au patrimoine, the Town of Stanstead offers since June 29, free French & English guided tours within  the village of Rock Island in Stanstead.

A touristic guide welcomes the visitors at the Museum of Stanstead (14, Notre-Dame Ouest , Stanstead) site of the granite industry exhibit and one of the most important collections of Lionel trains in Canada are shown. The visitors are first taken to the Banting Holmes park behind the museum where they can enjoy several pieces of art made of local grey granite. They can also contemplate the Tomifobia river. Afterwards, the tours goes through to the Lee Farm domain, former house of Dr. Frederick Banting's wife. Dr. Banting received a Nobel prize for the co-disovery of insulin. We can also contemplate three sculpted trees  created by Maurice Harvey from St-Jean-Port-Joli.
The vistors are then taken to the Stone Circle, made of local Stanstead grey granite. This modern site was inspired by the Stonehenge in England. Kids can also play in the Village de saules, a living–willow structure.

In the meantime, the visitors are told the history of the first customs on both sides of the border and a variety of local stories which happened in the area during the last two centuries.

The group the goes to the Haskell Free Library & Opera House, a famous building built directly on the USA/CAN border where French & English guided tours are available at regular hours.

Visitors then cross  the pedestrian bridge over the Tomifobia River to get on Dufferin street (main street). We continue the guided tour with the explanations of several historical buildings such as the Eastern Township Bank, the Southern Canada Power and the Art gallery La Vieille Forge,a  former blacksmith shop. The tour ends at the Henry Seth Taylor place, inventor of Canada's first steam car.

French and English guided tours are given from Wednesday to Sunday until August 20 and until October 14 on week-end and holidays.

Schedule : From 9 :30 to 4:00 pm

Departure : 14, Notre-Dame-Ouest Street, Stanstead

We are looking forward to seeing you!