Forum Title: LIZZIE BORDEN SOCIETY Topic Area: Fall River and Its Environs Topic Name: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River  

1. "Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by fol on Jul-26th-03 at 11:15 PM

My husband and I are visiting Fall River next week and I'm putting an itinerary together of all the points of interest relating to Lizzie that I can come up with.  On the list are the Borden Bed & Breakfast (of course), Maplecroft (although the boarded-over "Maplecroft step is a real bummer), Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River Historical Society, and dinner at the Abbey Grill (formerly the Central Congregational church where Lizzie attended).

Does anyone out there know -- is the Smith's pharmacy (prussic acid) still standing?  How about the Andrew J. Borden building?  Also, does anyone know the location of the Borden's old home on Ferry Street?

This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I don't want to miss anything.  Any additional ideas or insights from Lizzie enthusiasts would be highly appreciated.


2. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by harry on Jul-27th-03 at 12:22 AM
In response to Message #1.

Hi Fol and welcome,

I'm afraid there is not much left to Lizzie's Fall River.  You've mentioned all the main sites. 

I believe the site where 12 Ferry Street was is now a housing project. The A.J. Borden building is still there and I believe is occupied by Aetna Insurance Co. Across the street from the A J. Borden building is the Borden Block.  That at one time housed the Academy Music Hall where Nance O'Neil performed.  The Music Hall is long closed as well as the Academy movie theater

There is the school on Morgan Street where Lizzie attended as a child. I think it's now the Nathaniel Morgan school only a few streets away from Second St.

Anybody, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.

Enjoy your trip!


3. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by Kat on Jul-27th-03 at 2:56 AM
In response to Message #2.

I can only repeat what a member here once told us that the A.J. Borden Building is now Traveler's Ins., as she used to work there.
It's Anawan St., tho, right, and is still there, that's the point.


4. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by harry on Jul-27th-03 at 11:37 AM
In response to Message #3.

The confusion on the insurance company may lie in the fact that Travelers bought the Property and Casualty divisions of Aetna in April 1996. So it would be Travelers now.

Will you be there on August 6th when Masterton is scheduled to speak on the Borden case?  That would be great to hear.


5. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by fol on Jul-28th-03 at 12:14 PM
In response to Message #4.

We were planning on spending the day of August 2nd but we are going to be in the area (Cape Cod) through August 9 -- so I imagine we could come back to hear the speaker you mentioned.  I'll do a search for the details.

Thanks for all the ideas as well as the information about the AJ Borden building.  We're very excited about the visit!


6. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by Kat on Jul-29th-03 at 4:09 AM
In response to Message #5.

Fall River Historical Society Bicentennial Events!

Thanks to Michael Martins, here is a list of the FRHS' calendar of events celebrating Fall River's Bicentennial.


May 14: "Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words": "A room becomes a universe of magic, morals, and mischief" when Marilyn Murphy Meardon portrays the Virgin Queen in this fascinating program.
May 28: Annual Members' Meeting, Robert Kitchen, "The Life and Times of P.T. Barnum"
June 14: Appraisal Fair with Skinner, Inc. What are your treasures really worth? Why not join us and the appraisers from Skinner's Auction House and find out?
July 9: Robert Kitchen, "The History of Spindle City," an illustrated lecture on Fall River.
July 16: Philip T. Silvia, Ph.D., "People of Pride: Immigrants and Mill Life in 19th Century Fall River."
July 23: Edwin Dumbaugh, Ph.D., "The Old Fall River LIne."
July 30: Mary Blewett, Ph.D., "The History of the Fall River Mills."
**August 6: Joyce G. Williams, Ph.D., "A Night with Lizzie Borden."
August 13: Prof. Brenda Bouchard, "Women's History of Fall River: The Woman's Union 1873-1910."
August 20: Joseph Feitelberg, "An Evening in Battleship Cove."
August 27: David Greer, M.D., "Two Hundred Years of Medicine in Fall River."
December 6: Annual Members' Holiday Open House
December 14: Victorian Christmas Fair.

* * Masterton substituted.
FRHS web-site under construction.  Here is their contact info:

Ph# 508 - 679 - 1071

FRHS
451 Rock Street
Fall River, Mass   02720

hrs:
June-Sept.: 9 -4:30 p.m.
Sat. & Sun.:  1- 5 p.m.
Closed Monday & Holidays.

August 4th this year is ______ (Guess what day of the week.  What-to-do, oh, what to do??)


(Message last edited Jul-29th-03  4:09 AM.)


7. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by augusta on Jul-29th-03 at 2:24 PM
In response to Message #6.

August 4th is on a Monday this year.  I can't wait to be really THERE on the 4TH!!  


8. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by Kat on Jul-30th-03 at 9:08 AM
In response to Message #7.

Yea but do you know if the FRHS will be open on a Monday? 


9. "Re: Looking for historic Lizzie sites in Fall River"
Posted by augusta on Jul-30th-03 at 12:11 PM
In response to Message #8.

I'm as slow as Abby Borden climbing the stairs to the guest room.  I HOPE they're open.  I have time to go there on other days during my stay, but others may not.