[1] Built in 1846 by Fernando C. Jacobs as an inn or 'stand', the building was the northernmost stop on the stage route to Montreal, Quebec, Canada East.

Due to Jacob's known stance against slavery, local folklore considers the building to be the former northernmost U.S. stop on the Connecticut River route of the 19th century Underground Railroad.

The building was sold in 1888 to physician Artemas Ward and later bequest to the town of Canaan as a public library in 1930 after the death of his wife Alice.

The library stands on the west side of the triangular town common in the center of Canaan village, near the southern end of Park Street where it meets Vermont Route 102.

While located in Canaan, it offers free library cards to all patrons, including seasonal visitors and those from neighboring towns.