Borden House
By Patrice
Raplee
Last month, Travel Excursion visited Bristol, Rhode Island and
Hearth House Bed and Breakfast, originally built by Parker Borden, distant
cousin to Lizzie Borden. At this time, there's no substantiation that
Lizzie and her family visited or socialized with their Bristol relatives,
but research is following up circulated rumors. This month, TE visits
the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Mass. where the infamous 1892
murders of Andrew and Abby Borden took place.
Almost everyone has heard the old Victorian nursery rhyme depicting
Lizzie Borden as an ax-wielding murderess who "whacked" her
father and stepmother to death, some 40 times each. The old rhyme alludes
that Lizzie Borden was crazy. But was she really and did she indeed
commit patricide from an unhinged mind? Acquitted by a jury of her peers
almost a year after the heinous murders, Lizzie Borden would live the
rest of her life as a lonely pariah of society.
The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts
is evidence that even 110 years later, interest over Lizzie and the
Borden tragedy has not flagged. Established on Aug. 4 '96, the B&B
is the actual house where the murders took place.
Sally McGinn and her family owned and lived in the Borden house from
'48 to '94, before turning the private residence into a museum and B&B.
The Greek revival style house has been restored to its Victorian appearance,
which closely replicates the Borden's family home of Aug. 4,1892. The
house is interesting and every room displays lavish attention to detail,
with some of the original contents of the Borden's back in place. There
are six rooms available for guests to spend the night and of course,
this includes Lizzie's room and the John Morse guest room. The B&B
houses a substantial library of books and video tapes on the Bordens
and the murder trial for guests to peruse. The atmosphere is pleasant
and the staff is very knowledgeable about the lore and history regarding
the Bordens. If you wish to visit the house, but not spend the night,
guided tours are available as well.
On a slightly creepier note, the house is reputed to be haunted. There
are many reports from staff members and guests that swear they have
seen weird occurrences and ghosts and felt pins and needles upon entering
certain rooms.
The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum is a history and
mystery buff's reverie. The B&B's gift shop features books and video
tapes chronicling the Bordens and the 13-day murder trial. There are
several television programs such as Unsolved Mysteries, Case Reopened
and the Travel Channel that frequently air documentaries on Lizzie
and the murders, all with varying motives and theories. Numerous books
are also readily available and they too differ in content and theory.
Lizzie Borden, Past and Present by Leonard Rebello is all-inclusive
and certainly the most interesting. It contains facts, photographs,
actual trial transcripts and everything else you could think of, but
without voicing a theory, or opinion as to Lizzie's guilt, or innocence.
A superb read, Past and Present is the definitive source book
for finding accurate information on the Bordens.
Another good read is a book by Elizabeth Engstrom, Lizzie Borden.
Written as a novel, the story touches on an expressed theory that is
not often talked about, due to its disquieting subject matter. The account
gives brilliant insight to a possible motive and the workings of a confused
mind. In addition, the story takes place prior to the murders and focuses
on the disturbing interpersonal relationships of the Bordens.
The Lizzie Borden B&B Museum is a fascinating visit to an
era and mystery that has passed out of time, but not out of our curiosity.
For more information on the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum,
call (508) 675-7333, or visit the website at www.lizzie-borden.com
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