THE HEAVY LIFTERS - Stanstead College

SPIDERWICK MANSION
If you've seen the film version of The Spiderwick
Chronicles, you might notice something familiar
about the on-screen mansion. That's because the
inspiration for the building was none other than
Broadview in Stanstead.
"The design is based on a house we found in
Stanstead, Quebec, and altered to fit the needs of
the script (and budget)," writes production designer
Jim Bissell in the February-March 2008 issue of
Perspective magazine. "I felt the slight asymmetry
and clean lines of this Italianate design embraced
the spirit of [the original books'] drawings, but
allowed the mansion's character arc to develop
unencumbered by historical visual baggage."
The actual house used in the film was built in
Cap-St-Jacques on the western tip of the Island of
Montreal.
You can read more online at
www.artdirectors.org.
One of the main rooms as it is today. Each room in the
original building has a fireplace similar to this one.
Thank you, donors!
To celebrate the acquisition of Broadview and the generosity of our
many donors, the Advancement Office hosted a Donor Reception on
October 19, 2007 in the “mansion next door.” On display was information
on the history of the building along with photos of the house and members
of the Butters and Pierce families. Among the guests were Nancy
Butters-Pacaud, longtime owner of the house with brother Archie, as well
as Jeanne Martin and Wayne Ross, the previous owners.
Left: Former faculty Mary Martin (left) talks with Wayne Ross.
Right: Almost 20 years ago, when changing the original wallpaper in the main living
room, Nancy Pacaud (left) tucked a sample of it, along with a note, behind the
fireplace mantel.
Left: John Colby 1926 and former faculty Alex Philip 1957
Right: Parents Judith Cowen (left), Maria Savory and Jonathan Cowen 1972
Left: Former faculty Peter Ashworth with Andrew Davies
Right: Dr. Harrison Monane and John Colby
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