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Matthew Farfan
 The town of Stanstead is currently in the process of citing twelve buildings on its territory as historic monuments. Stanstead, which recently released a new heritage tour of its entire territory, is known for its rich architectural heritage and colourful history. The border community, which is composed of the three former villages of Stanstead Plain, Rock Island and Beebe Plain, is a member of the prestigious Association of Quebec’s Most Beautiful Villages and is a featured stop on the Chemin des Cantons.
 Municipal citation of a heritage site serves to give an added layer of protection to the site, and empowers municipal authorities to exercise greater control over its development, limit alterations to it, and forbid its demolition. It also allows a town to levy fines in the case of non-compliance to the by-law. A designated site is generally required to be maintained in good condition.
Conversely, citation permits a town to offer financial aid and even technical assistance to the owner of a cited property undertaking a restoration project that conforms to the building’s historic character. In addition, properties with municipal citation are placed in a provincial registry of historic sites are become eligible for Quebec government assistance.
In most cases, with a few notable exceptions, the buildings being cited in Stanstead are public buildings. They include five churches and one former church: Centenary United; Christ Church Anglican; Sacre-Coeur Catholic Church; Stanstead South United Church; Beebe Advent Christian Church; and the former Wesley United Church.
 Also on the list are the Colby-Curtis Museum (Carrollcroft); Golden Rule Masonic Lodge; the Butters House (recently purchased by Stanstead College); the former Wilder Pierce House and Store (which also served as the Eastern Townships’ first customs house); the former Eastern Townships Bank in Rock Island; and the former Horace Stewart Store in Beebe (which was at one time the world’s only double post office).
Photos (top to bottom): Butters House; former Wesley United Church; Wilder Pierce House; Centenary United Church. (Matthew Farfan)
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