A Reason to Party? A Short History of the Annual Lizzie Borden Parties in Saratoga Springs, 1982-1992

by Stuart Armstrong

First published in August/September, 2004, Volume 1, Issue 4, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies.

Is the double murder of a pair of well-known Fall River citizens, supposedly at the hands of the daughter, really any sort of reason to have a party? Well, yes. In Saratoga Springs, New York during the month of August, anything can happen. During that month, Saratoga Springs is the thoroughbred racing capital of the world. Since 1863, the racetrack has attracted society both high and low, and festivity is always in the air, unless you lost a bundle at the track.

It all began quietly enough back in the summer of 1982 when two friends and I decided to acknowledge August 4th and the terrible deeds committed that day back in 1892 in Fall River by dressing up and going to the historic Adelphi Hotel for cocktails.

Paul Sigrist worked at the hotel as the sous chef when I first met him. I don’t remember how the subject of Lizzie Borden came up, but it did. Paul was studying American Studies at Skidmore College and knew quite a bit about Victorian life, from clothing to decoration, and even cooking. We discussed different angles of the Borden case often. 

Chloe Kettlewell joined us for that first toast to Lizzie. The color scheme for our outfits was black and red. She looked stunning in a 1950s cocktail dress with matching hat and veil. Chloe’s matching lipstick and nail polish added the necessary splash of red as an accessory. Paul decided to dress up as Andrew Borden, complete with Victorian clothing, and a bit of powder to make his hair gray. I simply put on a black vintage suit and red tie. Paul, ever the archivist and keeper of historical record, photographed us in our finery. I in turn photographed him and Chloe reenacting the murder of Andrew Borden.

Heads turned as we entered the Adelphi courtyard. We each ordered a Bloody Mary as a tribute to Lizzie and the Bordens. The drinks arrived with a special added touch. The bartender, upon hearing the reason for our tribute, thoughtfully added steak knives as a garnish to our drinks. Other patrons, interested in our little gathering, inquired as to the reason for it. All knew who Lizzie Borden was, and were interested in knowing more about the Borden case. The most frequently asked question of the night was “Did she do it?” 

Our little get-together that night attracted quite a bit of attention. By the time August of 1983 rolled around, both family and friends were letting me know that they wanted to be included. Again, the Adelphi would be our venue, although this time we celebrated in the hotel ballroom.

The owners of the Adelphi, Sheila Parkert and Gregg Siefker, were longtime family friends. And they not only very graciously allowed us to have our Lizzie celebrations in the hotel—they were willing participants as well. Handmade invitations were sent out (a tradition that continued until our last get-together) made up of newspaper headlines from the case from murder to acquittal. Decorating the tables were plates of cookies in the shape of hatchets. Real hatchets also adorned the tables.

In anticipation of questions about the case, I put my entire collection of Borden memorabilia on display for guests to peruse and enjoy. This included an original first edition of Edwin Porter’s Fall River Tragedy, which through some miracle never had anything spilled on it. Original newspapers from the trial fascinated guests as well.

Over the next few years, the celebrations continued and the guest list continued to grow. What started with three people blossomed to over fifty by 1987. One couple from New York City staying at the hotel actually planned their trips to Saratoga Springs so that they could attend. The ballroom, already decked out in Victorian splendor, was further “decorated” in black crepe paper, black balloons and black and red candles—not to mention the de rigueur hatchets. The day after a New York Times reporter wandered into the hotel and noted the remains of the party:

One remnant of the old Saratoga is the Adelphi Hotel, a columned brick building on Broadway, the interior of which is utterly packed with Victorian furniture and bibelots. It is where the trainers have their cocktails and where the annual Lizzie Borden party is held each August.

Sheila Parker [sic], one of the hotel’s owners, gave the fourth annual observance the other night, covering the tables with hand-tatted lace and placing claret bottles, rolls of black crepe paper and old newspaper clippings atop the lace. Balloons were hung from the ceiling and the twenty guests in costumes Miss Parker [sic] danced.

Why a Lizzie Borden party? 

‘Why not?’ asked Miss Parker [sic].

‘She’s a real celebrity again.’

Where?

‘Here.’

1986 held a new twist for the Lizzie party. Sheila and Gregg had refurbished the basement under the ballroom into a rumpus room, 1950s style. It was complete with a vintage jukebox, lava lamps, butterfly chairs and a linoleum dance floor. The rumpus room was officially christened “The Lizzie Borden Room” and became the home of future Lizzie parties. Caricatures of the Borden family penned by Paul adorned the walls.

The August fourth celebrations continued for a few more years, always attracting new friends. But by 1989, many old friends moved away, including Paul. With many of the core attendees gone, it simply wasn’t the same.

For Lizzie’s one-hundredth anniversary though, we had one last hurrah. On August 4, 1992 we reunited at the Adelphi for one final time. We enjoyed cocktails in the bar, and then retired to Gregg and Sheila’s apartment to enjoy champagne while watching the video of The Legend Of Lizzie Borden.

These days on August 4th, I keep it simple—I make a martini and toast not only Lizzie and the Bordens, but also those great parties of the past.