July 19th
Happy 151st Miss Lizzie
18 Monday Jul 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", Just Plain Lizzie
Category Archives: "Lizbits"
Taking a Whack at Lizzie
11 Monday Jul 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Fall River, Famous Massachusetts Cases, Famous Victorians, Hatchets and Axes, Just Plain Lizzie, Murder Most Foul, On stage, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri, Second Street Happenings, Things to Do
This year the August 4th production at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast will debut a new leading lady. She is no stranger to the part. The photos here are taken from an episode filmed last summer for the Travel Channel. Kathleen Troost-Cramer, day manager at the famous B&B in Fall River, may be remembered for performances in years past as Irish maid, Bridget Sullivan. This year, having gotten in a few practice whacks with a hatchet, Kathleen is ready to take on the legendary Lizzie Borden, probably the most difficult role of the lot as expectations are so varied and anticipated by the sold-out crowd which assembles every year on the 4th to re-live the Borden tale of mystery.
Mild-mannered mother of two, and Bible scholar, this role is quite a stretch, but anyone who has been “under the hatchet”to Kathleen can testify- she means business!
Congratulations and “break-a-leg” to Kathleen as we wait to see her unique spin on the unforgettable Lizzie Borden!
First performance on August 4th at 10:30 a.m., last performance at 3:30 p.m.
Lizzie & Casey Anthony- Sisters in Crime?
06 Wednesday Jul 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", Murder Most Foul, Potpourri, Read All ABout It, True Crime
Although there have been many comparisons in the past few days between Casey Anthony and O.J. Simpson, Bob Ward has added a few great remarks in his Crime Files column suggesting Lizzie and Casey might have more in common.
Coming July 19th- A Guide to Oak Grove
02 Saturday Jul 2011
Just in time for Lizzie’s birthday: the guide to Borden-related graves in Oak Grove Cemetery. The booklet contains maps, biographies of people connected with the case who are buried at Oak Grove, three walking tours with maps of how to locate both minor and major personalities in the Borden story, a history of the cemetery, fun facts and trivia, who is NOT buried at Oak Grove connected to the Borden case, and articles on the Victorian celebration of death, symbolism on funerary statuary and much more! Designed in a black and white “Edward Goreyesque” style, the publication will go on sale July 19th. Pricing and outlets which will stock the guide will be finalized and announced here on July 15th.
Get your Tickets Now !
29 Wednesday Jun 2011
As posted yesterday, Miss Lizzie is coming home for two performances August 5th and 6th at the Nagle Auditorium at B.M.C. Durfee High School in a production by the Covey Theatre Company of Syracuse, N.Y., according to the Fall River Herald News http://www.heraldnews.com/entertainment/x2108626470/Latest-Lizzie-Borden-play-to-be-staged-Aug-5-6-in-Fall-River
For reviews of the play and some color stills, visit this link http://www.thecoveytheatrecompany.com/production-archives.html
Tickets may be purchased online at the link and word is out that this new treatment of the case promises to satisfy the most ardent Bordenite. Snag a ticket early!
She’s Back for August!
28 Tuesday Jun 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", August 4th, Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Fall River, Fall River Historical Society, Famous Massachusetts Cases, Famous Victorians, In the News, Just Plain Lizzie, Lizzie Borden & the Arts, On stage, Pear Essential Players, Potpourri, Second Street Happenings, Things to Do
In addition to anticipating the upcoming release of the historical society’s Parallel Lives, August will welcome a new play about the famous case. The Herald News reports:
A new play, “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe,” depicting the well known Lizzie Borden case will be staged in Fall River for the 119th anniversary of the hatchet murders of Andrew and Abby Borden.
There will be two performances on Aug. 5 and 6 at the Nagle Auditorium at B.M.C. Durfee High School by the Covey Theatre Company of Syracuse, N.Y.
Fresh from winning two Syracuse Area Live Theatre awards for Best Original Play and Best Costumes, as well as the Gloria Peter Playwright competition from Aurora, NY, “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” left critics enthralled and Bordenophiles raving.
“Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” will be staged Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 315-420-3729 or online at” www.thecoveytheatrecompany.com.
The annual costumed recreation of August 4th will take place as usual at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast on the 4th, which this year, will be a Thursday, just as it was in 1892.
Plenty of Lizzie on the way for August!
Not Guilty! 118 Years ago
21 Tuesday Jun 2011
The Gazette had an article marking Lizzie’s acquittal anniversary on June 20th.
http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x536836292/Lizzie-Borden-found-not-guilty-118-years-ago-today
A welcome home party was given for Lizzie at the home of Charles and Marianna Holmes on Pine Street on the day of the acquittal. Their house is still standing. Those waiting outside the murder house on Second Street, hoping for a glimpse of Lizzie, were disappointed.
Below: The Holmes house on Pine Street today, the scene of Lizzie’s triumphant return to Fall River, a free woman. It is now subdivided into several apartments. In the background, steeple of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Rock St. (now called Holy Spirit).
Dr. Cornelia to reveal Borden killer?
13 Monday Jun 2011
If you are lucky enough to be near Camden, N.J. on June 23rd, you may wish to drop by the public library for a special presentation on the Borden case. The talk by Dr. Cornelia is one of the Camden library’s “American Cultural Journey” lectures through the summer. http://knox.villagesoup.com/place/story/the-strange-case-of-lizzie-borden-slide-talk-june-23/408456
Graphologist to analyze Lizzie Borden’s handwriting
13 Friday May 2011
What does Lizzie’s handwriting reveal?
http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x741439695/Graphologist-to-analyze-Lizzie-Borden-handwriting
Taunton Elks like Lizzie
13 Friday May 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", Borden Family, Lectures & Exhibits
Lizzie’s appeal spans far and wide as Bed and Breakfast owner Lee Ann Wilber visits the Taunton Elks Lodge on June 1st. http://www.tauntongazette.com/education/x242751470/-Lizzie-Borden-Night-at-Taunton-Elks-Club
Lizzie Borden on Facebook
12 Thursday May 2011
Someone was bound to think of it- and here it is: http://www.heraldnews.com/topstories/x600908851/Facebook-profile-shows-Lizzie-Borden-can-hack-it-in-21st-century The page, which has been up for several weeks, already has a number of friends and joins several other Lizzie-based Facebook pages including the bed and breakfast on Second Street, The Hatchet- and Warps and Wefts. Twitter will be next!
Lizzie Film Download
02 Monday May 2011
Tags
W&W is a little late getting this one posted. Shawna Waldron’s 93 minute Lizzie feature can be downloaded here: http://www.musicmovieshare.com/thriller/lizzie-2011/
You can see more on the Facebook page, including photos. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lizzie-the-Movie/378802895590?ref=mf&sk=wall#!/pages/Lizzie-the-Movie/378802895590?sk=wall
Lizzie’s Easter bonnet
22 Friday Apr 2011
Although Fall River may not have enjoyed the annual Easter Parade famous to Fifth Avenue, New York, Easter Sunday morning was a grand opportunity for ladies to promenade down the aisle in their new chapeau at church, and later in the many parks in the city. Hats were de rigeur during Lizzie’s entire lifetime and she no more would have left the house without a hat on, than have left uncorseted. Hats and gloves were the mark of a lady. Lizzie even mentions that on August 4th, the day of the murders, when she returned from the barn loft looking for lead to make sinkers, she put her hat down in the diningroom before discovering her father on the sofa.
Lizzie could easily afford a personal milliner when she moved to Maplecroft. Mr. Bump, accompanied by his little daughter, would visit Maplecroft with trims and hat forms when Lizzie needed something new and stylish. She may have subscribed to The Delineator to keep up with all the styles. Fun to think of Lizzie smiling over French ribbon, Italian straw boaters, felt cloches, and boxes of silk flowers and feathers in the comfort of her beautifully-appointed home on the Hill and making her choices for the season’s head adornments.
Today Show visit aired this morning on NBC
16 Saturday Apr 2011
Posted in "Lizbits", "Lizzie Folks", Borden Family, Borden House Interiors, Borden Spaces and Places, Case Personalities, Crime Scene, Fall River, Just Plain Lizzie, Legend of Lizzie Borden, Museums & Exhibits, Parallel Lives, Second Street Happenings, Second Street Irregulars, Spooky Lizzie's - Paranormal Second Street, Stop the Press, Video Lizzie
Guests and employees at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast enjoyed watching the TODAY show feature this morning in the parlor. Already the online clip has had nearly 500 comments and the phones are briskly ringing on Second Street. The interest in the Borden case?- Keen as ever.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42612544/ns/today-books/from/toolbar
Today Show visits Second Street
07 Thursday Apr 2011
The Borden house is hosting guests from the TODAY show this afternoon. The filming, which was to have taken place last Wednesday, was postponed until today. The segment is slated to air sometime in May. The crew will be filming at the house, with an interview by Barbara Borden Morrissey and will then relocate to the Fall River Historical Society to film case artifacts and to discuss the upcoming Parallel Lives. The crew picked a beautiful day to be in the city, with high temps and plenty of sunshine.
MSNBC and NBC reporter Amy Robach is shooting the feature.
Lambie Awards for 2011
07 Thursday Apr 2011
The Best Actor Award was a tie this year- for the first time. Will Clawson and Ray Mitchell, both employees of the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum are also Pear Essential Players and last August 4th, on the anniversary of the murders, took up the roles of Officer Harrington and City Marshal Rufus B. Hilliard. The Second Street Irregulars (the “Muttoneaters”), award the golden statuette yearly for best performance in a Borden case-related role.
Will Clawson as the popular and well-beloved Phil Harrington (the man who described Lizzie’s wrapper in such detail and died tragically on his honeymoon the year Lizzie was acquitted)
Ray Mitchell as City Marshal Rufus Hilliard
The best actress award this year went to Kristin Pepe for her sympathetic portrayal of long-time Borden friend, and former neighbor, Alice Russell. Kristin played the role of Bridget Sullivan in 2009 and 2010 was her first time in the role of the lady who saw Lizzie burn the dress in the woodstove and who was the recipient of the exciting news divulged by Lizzie on the night before the murders that “something is going to happen, Father has an enemy. . .” Kristin was also a Lens of Sherlock recipient several years ago when she tracked down Emma Borden’s alma mater, Wheaton Female Seminary. Congratulations, all!
Kristin (center) with Barbara Morrissey (Emma, on the left) and Lorraine Gregoire (Lizzie on the right) on August 4, 2011.
Tiago Finato on Lizzie’s Portrait
06 Wednesday Apr 2011
(courtesy of Chris Striker Bounds)
As part of their annual weekend gathering, the Second Street Irregulars made a stop at the Fall River Art Association on April 1st to see the recent portrait of Lizzie by local artist, Tiago Finato http://www.tiagofinato.com/
Reunion of the Second Street Irregulars
04 Monday Apr 2011
The annual banquet for the Second Street Irregulars was held at the Quequechan Club Saturday evening. This year, among the awards given, the first Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to long-time Borden case historian, Ed Thibault of Somerset, Massachusetts. The original Irregulars joined Ed and his wife Eleanor at the head of the table. Barbara MacDonald, Deborah Shannon Valentine, Shelley Dziedzic, and Leonard Rebello enjoyed getting the old gang together once more. Ken Souza was unable to be contacted to round out the original six members.
Ed Thibault traces his interest in the Borden case to the age of 14, and has researched and shared his discoveries for many years with local civic groups, schools and visitors to the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast where he and his wife Eleanor have worked for many years. Congratulations- and thanks, Eddie!
Ed “assumes the position” one more time back at the Second St. house.
