At first glance, it would seem to be any quaint, rustic bed and breakfast (or as we are prone to say in New England, “b&b”). But, the Lizzie Borden Bed And Breakfast/Museum is no ordinary bed and breakfast.
If only this seemingly ordinary inn could tell stories. The bed and breakfast has been converted to an inn (stay at your own risk) and tours are offered for a paltry $18. The hour long tour includes a history of the house, the denizens (which of course Lizzie Borden was one) and other trivia about the building and people associated with the house.
Of course, Lizzie is the main person of interest.
For those who either lived under a rock for the past 120 years or aren’t a maladjusted historian who is fascinated with the morbid, Lizzie was the main suspect in the murders of her mother and father. She was acquitted after the jury deliberated for an hour. To this day, people are divided over whether she did commit these murders (she did). The real life story plays out like an Agatha Christie mystery.
The house is three floors with 8 rooms. The furniture is not the exact furniture from the house because the Borden sisters had to store their furniture and while the furniture was in storage the furniture was destroyed by water and fire damage. Replicas of the furniture of that era are furnished throughout the house. They also seem to want to keep the house as close to the original style as possible. We also had a large tour group which made the rooms seem even more cramped and the lighting was dim. That is not a ghost but rather the photographer’s reflection in the mirror.
The staircases are narrow but fun to photograph.
The bedrooms are basic with the bare necessities (you won’t find any flat screen tv’s or hot tubs there). But, they are refreshing for the weary traveler who just wants to unplug and relax.
This is the room where Abby Borden was murdered. Walking in the room can’t help but give you the willies.
This is where Andrew Borden’s (Lizzie’s father) body was found. I swear I had my camera trained on the entire sitting couch (I’d sooner blame in on Nikon than the photographer or any spirits, though)
If you are considering a stay at the Lizzie Borden bed and breakfast, just remember that while it is cute and rustic, well keep in mind that it is rustic.
Is that Lizzie in the window?
The inn also has a number of photos of the key players of the Borden case and the family hanging on the wall. There is also the dress Elizabeth Montgomery wore when she depicted Lizzie Borden in the made for tv version of the murder and trial. There are also artifacts hung on the walls that were found on the property that were discovered during recent renovations.
I had some time to waste before the tour, so I stopped by Lizzie’s (or Lizbeth’s) final resting place. Lizzie is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, Mass. She is buried next to her sister, Emma. People regularly leave little mementos from flowers to rocks and even coins and other keepsakes on her gravestone, especially this time of year (even though the murders occurred in August and not around Halloween) .
New England Nomad 
October 18th, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Interesting story 🙂
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October 18th, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Great photos. The story line fits right into Halloween!!
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October 19th, 2015 at 1:14 am
Thank you! Yes, I thought it fit into the Halloween theme!
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October 18th, 2015 at 11:11 pm
Thanks for sharing. This is the type of place I would definitely check out if I were in New England.
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October 19th, 2015 at 1:19 am
I have always wanted to go because I do have somewhat morbid interest in the event and subsequent trial. Plus, not knowing for sure who did it adds an element of intrigue.
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October 19th, 2015 at 1:26 am
hello new england nomad its dennis the vizsla dog hay i hav herd the poem lizzie borden tuk an aks and gayv her mother forty wacks!!! i gess they leev off and wuz akwitted by a joory of her peers becuz it duz not ryme!!! ok bye
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October 19th, 2015 at 1:40 am
Good one, Dennis! Good points, actually. The popular rhyme states that Lizzie “gave her mother 40 whacks”. In reality, she “whacked” her mother 19 times according to the autopsy. And her father did not receive 41 as the rhyme claims. He got 10 or 11. Also, they were both killed with a hatchet not an axe as the rhyme states. As far as the jury goes, one popular theory suggests she was acquitted because, according to the mindset then, women couldn’t plan and go through with such a horrific crime.
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October 19th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
HI. I am going to post a link to this on my blog — and I know you visit there often. THANKS. Great photos, great story. Well done. Can you PLEASE share some details of your photographs. They are world class. What kind of camera? Do you do any post-processing. Also PLEASE update your ‘About’. We would love to know more about you. SMILE. Cheers. Thanks. Anura
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October 19th, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Thank you so much! You just made my day! I will be stopping by and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
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October 19th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
To answer your questions, Anura, I use a Nikon D3200 (pretty much a beginner camera) and I have only really gotten into photography this year. Since, I’m not an experienced photographer and I don’t have the best camera, I try to find unique things to photograph. I also try to include a dog or other animal in every blog I post. Unfortunately, there weren’t any dogs at the Lizzie Borden house. I do not do any post processing with my photos. I prefer to not use any enhancements or anything like that. I will work on updating my “about” section!
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October 19th, 2015 at 9:20 pm
That is GREAT. Thank you. The Nikon D3200 is a pretty decent camera. I was using an even lower end, Canon T3I (refurbished) until Sept. Now using a Lumix FZ1000, which is probably in the same bracket. You just need to persevere and put the time and effort in — and YOU are. Bravo. I have two dogs, so if I want a dog in the picture I could usually get one. You are doing a great job. I really hate post-processing. You are distorting reality. Yes, the filters in modern cameras can do a fair amount of ‘distorting too’ but it is all in the camera.
You should update your ‘About’ page and put your equipment details up there. I will be in touch. Thanks for YOUR support. Anura
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October 19th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Fascinating!
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October 19th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
It is an interesting story and tour. I recommend it to anyone who makes it to the New England area!
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October 20th, 2015 at 11:30 am
Thanks for the magnificent photos I really feel along for the ride. Especially with the story telling ☺
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October 20th, 2015 at 11:37 am
Thank you! That is my goal. I want to take you on the trips with me!
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October 20th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
I am enjoying it. Thank you!
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October 20th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Thanks for sharing so many pictures of the homestead. I feel as though I’ve been on the tour, too!
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October 20th, 2015 at 11:40 am
Thank you, Marcia!
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October 23rd, 2015 at 1:42 am
Love this!!!! Another place in New England I have to visit. I want to stay there!!!
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October 28th, 2015 at 9:05 pm
So interesting I get lost as if I am actually there.
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October 28th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Thank you, Jen. I could see someone getting lost and confused there. It doesnt seem that big from tge outside but it is deceivingly big once you go inside.
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