Lizzie Borden Society Forum

There have been unsolicited comments made to me by members that they are not thrilled with the possible emphasis on ghosts and hauntings at the B&B, which sound as if these tales have intensified.

This poll is to find out where You stand on a haunted B&B vs. a Borden murder mystery location, or something in between:

I voted that I only want a murder mystery tour. A a small smattering of talk about ghosts would be ok, but should certainly not cloud the Lizzie story in any way. I can understand how ghost stories can play into a legend like this, but while some of us wouldn't mind seeing a ghost...that is not what staying at 92nd Street is all about in my opinion. I believe it's about being as close to the enigma Lizzie...and her circumstances, as we could possibly be.


Tracy...

There wasn't a category for my vote, so I'll simply reply.

Both could be done, but as completely separate tours.

Those who wanted a ghost tour could choose to do that and those who wanted the facts of the murder case could do that.

I think that there is no way to please all of the people all of them time... And seperate tours would be best.

I do not think there is a ghost or an orb in every over exposed photo. I think if you look hard enough you will find whatever you are looking for.

I agree with what Tracy posted above. The enigmas of Lizzie and the Borden family and the puzzle of what really happened have kept me interested for over forty years.

However, if "ghost tours" are tastefully done and help to pay the bills and keep the house open to us all then perhaps the new owners of the house should consider them. I would not want to see the ghosts take precedence over the Borden mystery, though.

agree with Fairhaven guy

I don't think we ever have to worry about the ghost stories taking precedence over the murder mystery at the B & B.

I always said that if there is such a thing as a haunted house, it would be that one. If you have ever talked to Martha McGinn, she's got some good stories of strange activities in that house. There was no reason for her to make them up to me - and she sounded totally credible. Others on the subject have as well.

I like hearing about the hauntings on the tour. I think they are probably true and part of the house's story.

I don't know if I would go on a totally haunted tour there. It'd be too scary - especially in that cellar.

Good poll, Kat. Interesting question.

Thanks, augusta - glad someone appreciates our own little touch on the tour!

And everyone else, thank you for your input and nothing pertaining to ghosts is made up at our house. There is no reason for us to lie about a thing like that we know it to be a genuine paranormal hot "spot". Thanks. again, and hope to see you up at the house!

Ben

PS- Yes, Kat it is a very interesting subject, but it is hard to change things fast like that, and also we can't please everybody. It's like being at my other job at Stop and Shop (Leeann can vouge for me) "we can't please everybody or else we'd be out of customers and a job"! Thanks, again!

Thanks Ben for checking the poll.
I didn't vote.
I don't vote in my polls.

I enjoyed the mixture of the two during my stay at theB&B. The stories of the house are a part of American folklore now, and they are fun. I'm not a believer in ghosts, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy hearing ghost stories, in an infamous house. In fact, I would have been a little dissappointed if they stuck with just the facts.

Thanks Keim, glad to hear it! Make sure you come on back when we're through "Bordenizing" the property!

I think there are many people who visit the house expecting it to be haunted. I've read some of the remarks the other guests wrote ( in the book they keep there just for the guests to write in, I know what it should be called but I'm sick today and my mind isn't working right) about being disappointed that nothing happened. Not to mention that the Lizzie Borden B&B was voted Number 1 by the Travel Channel in it's Top Ten Creepiest Destinations. The Bed and Breakfast is also listed in Haunted Places The National Directory of which I own a copy, and it's included on many other sites on the internet dealing with the supernatural. I wouldn't mind some ghost stories here and there during a tour, but I don't think I would want too much emphasis put on it. I'm much more interested in the actual case.

http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/wo ... eepy1.html



page 220 of Haunted Places The National Directory:

Fall River

Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Inn The home where Lizzie Borden is said to have killed her parents with an axe has been haunted since renovations were made in 1996. Most of the activity takes places in the John Morse Room, the room in which Abby Borden was murdered on August 4, 1892. A month after renovations were complete,a housekeeper claimed she saw an imprint of a body on the bed in the guest room. She ran out of the house and never returned. Others have experienced unnerving effects such as an invisible presences rubbing against them. There are also reports of disembodied voices, invisible children playing marbles, slamming screen doors that do not exist, poignant crying sounds, and the rumbling of the furniture being moved around upstairs when no one is there. The apparition of an elderly woman with gray hair and wearing Victorian clothing is seen doing chores around the house. Most people believe this is Bridget Sullivan, the Bordens' maid.

( Borden Bed & Breakfast and Museum , 92 Second Street St., Fall River, MA 02721. Phone: 508- 675-7333. www.lizzie-borden.com)


I have a friend who is sort of superstitious, and she likes to remind me that the address was 92 Second St., and in 1892 Andrew's Second wife was killed there.

Well she's right

Yesterday (Wednesday, July 27) my sister and our niece visited the B&B and took the tour. They had a great time. My sister was very impressed with the house, the tour and their guide.

She reported that the Leary Press side of the house has just been painted in a "drab" that was chosen to be relatively accurate historically but not too. . . well. . .drab.

She also got a whole stack of B&B brochures for me to display in the Fairhaven Visitors Center.

Our ten year old niece, daughter of another sister who lives in Vermont, is visiting for a week and she's the one who wanted to go to the Borden House. It was on her list of things to do. They also went to Oak Grove Cemetery, but skipped the historical society when they were told they had to go through the entire tour of the house before visiting the Lizzie room.