In the Marketplace

  • Lizzie Borden: Now A Halloween Fixture

    September 1, 2010 /

    With Halloween soon upon us, haunted houses, haunted hayrides and other ghoulish attractions are busily preparing costumes and features.  In recent years Lizzie Borden has become a fixture at many of these horror attractions.  She is usually portrayed in black and red clothing with a large bloody axe swinging wildly, and covered in gore.  Poor Lizzie. You can imagine what she would think of this portrayal. The Taunton Gazette, the publication from the city of her 10 month incarceration has published an article on Lakeville’s entry for Halloween 2010. http://www.tauntongazette.com/lifestyle/lifestyle_calendar/x861574152/Lakeville-Haunted-House-preparations-underway

    Here are a few options available this year, this one titled a Lizzie Borden Wedding Dress from Amazon.com-and with a KNIFE.

    Here’s a better -looking version available at http://www.retroscopefashions.com/lolita1.html

    And here are a couple of Halloween Lizzies from 2009 (sorry the credits are unavailable)

    To see this live-action Halloween prop, visit Dave and Tracy’s photobucket video of this tombstone’s “special feature”. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Lizzie%20Borden%20Tombstone/?action=view&current=012-1.flv

    There will be more.

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  • Book Signing August 4th

    July 13, 2010 /

     

    Richard Behrens, author of the new adventure stories of Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective will be signing copies of his book in the giftshop at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast on August 4th from 10:30- 4 p.m..  Copies of the book will be on sale.

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  • What’s new this week?

    June 3, 2010 /

    Today’s Fall River Herald News has a wonderful article about New Jersey author Richard Behren’s book, Lizzie Borden:  Girl Detective and the upcoming Saturday reading and booksigning http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1834540560/Historical-fantasy-novel-features-Lizzie-Borden-as-a-detective

    photo credit: LeeAnn Wilber

    Popular indy actress and fashion trend-setter, Chloe Sevigny strikes a familiar pose on the black sofa.  Ms. Sevigny has family ties to Fall River and a great interest in the Borden case.  Tuesday marked her second overnight visit to the house on Second Street.

    Painting on #92 has come to a halt due to the weather.  More scraping and primer touch -ups are in the future before color can be applied, hopefully next week.  Costuming and casting have begun for the upcoming August 4th re-enactments.  Busy days on Second Street.

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  • A Reading at The Fall River Historical Society

    June 2, 2010 /

    This coming Saturday, June 5, from noon to 2:30 p.m., come and meet the author of Lizzie Borden:  Girl Detective, Richard Behrens.  The reading selection will take place from 1- 1:30.  Come and enjoy an afternoon of fiction and light refreshments! 

    “It’s Nancy Drew meets Victorian Fall River!”  Copies available at the historical society giftshop.

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  • Ravenous Romance and Lizzie?

    December 10, 2009 /

    For those who thought Elizabeth Engstrom’s Lizzie novel was an eyeopener, 2010 may bring an even juicier Lizzie title from publisher Ravenous Romance.  http://www.ravenousromance.com/

    Award winning author Lisa Mannetti of Port Chester, New York has confessed she is “on tap” for a new approach on the Lizzie Borden story. Fresh from winning the Bram Stoker Horror award for her novel The Gentling Box,  Bad Moon Books will be bringing out her dark gag book, 51 Fiendish Ways to Leave Your Lover (illustrated by Glenn Chadbourne) in February 2010 and Cargo Cult Press is publishing her novella, Deathwatch, in spring/summer 2010. A second novel The Everest Hauntings, is in the works. She has not given the date for her Lizzie novel.  It should be something to look forward to in the near future, and quite likely another pageturner!  Visit Lisa’s website at http://www.lisamannetti.com/ Read about her visits to the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast there at the link below. http://thechanceryhouse.com/res_ghosts_liz_2006/res_ghosts_liz_2006.htm

    Night time tour guide, Eleanor Thibault has been the host at #92 Second St. for the visits of NECON, the Northeastern Writers Conference, an organization to which Ms. Mannetti belongs.

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  • Halloween Lizzie-Dressed to Kill?

    October 29, 2009 /

    LizzieBordenFSWith the proliferation of Lizzies popping up at haunted hayrides, ghost tours and Halloween venues all over the country,  Lizzie duds are in demand for the season.  The same fashion ensemble used for the Living Dead Dolls series is now available up to a woman’s size 12 in a “dead ringer” three piece in black and scarlet, selling for $44.95.(hatchet not included).

    Those leg o’ mutton sleeves are de rigeur of course, but the rest of the costume is easy to manage from your closet and tool bench, being a long skirt, boots and weapon-in-hand.  Lizzie’s frizzie bangs and tight little bun complete the look, and perhaps a slightly crazed glint in the eye.  Internet tips on Lizzie costuming urge red hair, but of course Lizzie was not a redhead- light brown hair is listed on her passport from 1890. 

    Don’t forget the costume contest Saturday night at the Eagle on North Main Street, a special feature of Lizzie Borden Live ! , the award-winning play starring Jill Dalton.  First prize will be a night’s stay at the famous house on Second Street.  Strap on your corset and come on down!

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  • Lizzie Borden: To Bing or Google?

    September 27, 2009 /

    Got plenty of time to kill? Google Lizzie Borden and find 494,000 results on the web and 80,000 image files -some of which go out there pretty far to be related.

    But maybe the newest thrill on the internet might be Bing.com where Lizzie Borden can net you 1,300,000 results and 11,500 image-related files. The images are worth the search and can turn up some pretty interesting stuff ranging from the Partners in Crime Kennels which has bred this beautiful red Irish setter bitch named – Lizzie Borden

    Lizzie_stacked_thumbnail

    to the very unique and mysterious Lizzie artwork of Lu LoBue (lulobue.com)

    lulobue

    Happy Googling- and uh, Binging?

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  • A Tale of Two Cities

    September 5, 2009 /

    lizziecard

    Gallery X will be holding an open exhibit “Lizzie Borden, A Tale of Two Cities”. On August 4, 1892, a terrible crime was committed in the city of Fall River. After all suspects were interviewed, all were cleared except for the youngest daughter of the victims, Miss Lizzie Andrew Borden. The vicious murders and it’s following trial caused the largest media blitz America had ever seen. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Borden were brutally slain in their home in broad daylight. The trial of Lizzie Borden has lived in the hearts, imaginations, and minds of a larger group of people than one would expect. The crime was committed in the City of Fall River, On June 5, 1893, Ten months later, Lizzie was brought to trial at the Bristol County Superior Court house in New Bedford. After a trial of thirteen days, Lizzie was acquitted for lack of evidence.

    The show’s title, “Lizzie Borden, A Tale of Two Cities” is a reference to the connection of these two cities and the national interest the murders in Fall River, and the following trial in New Bedford caused. Nearly every newspaper in the country held front page accounts of the tragedy and it’s proceedings. It seems everyone had their opinion on these bizarre proceedings and the press couldn’t get enough! The exhibit is open to all artists, local and otherwise. All submissions must pertain to Lizzie and/or the Borden tragedy. The limit is three pieces per artist, at $10.00 each. Gallery X will receive A35% commission on any sales. The show opens on October 14, 2009,the opening reception will be on October 17, 2009. The deadline for entries is Sunday October 11,2009 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Gallery X hours are Wednesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. , Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.

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  • A hex on the new Salem Lizzie Museum?

    August 6, 2008 /

    Once again the much-anticipated opening of the True Story of Lizzie Borden attraction in Salem was delayed.  Hoping to open on Lizzie’s birthday on July 19th, the date had to be pushed forward to August 4th, the anniversary of the murders.  The woodwork paint was drying, the local newspapers were touting the opening, and Fall River was getting into the controversy about Lizzie’s presence in Salem-when the August 4th opening never materialized.  Hopefully eager visitors-to-be called ahead, or else there were some murderous prospective guests who must have been disappointed to find closed doors on the day.  Meanwhile, back in old Fall River, August 4th went on as ever. 

    Today the word is out that the opening  date of the attraction/museum/exhibit is uncertain due to some difficulties with the city of Salem officials- red tape, paperwork, permits, -something like that.  Makes you wonder if the other famous ladies of the city- those ladies in the pointy hats- are brewing up some spells !  Maybe they don’t want any competition from another woman!

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  • Victorian Air Conditioner

    July 13, 2008 /

    Summer paper fans were a popular advertising possibility to beat the summer heat and promote local businesses.  Trade cards and calendars were also cheap tools to attract trade.  This late Victorian-turn-of-the-century advertising fan is produced by a calendar company in Ohio for Fall River’s well-known department store, McWhirr’s, which would have been patronized by Lizzie in her day.  Note the suggestion to use “the telephone” for placing an order! Mr. Borden had no phone in his house. The fronts of these fans were usually embellished with glorious chromos of sweet-faced children, beautiful women, fruit and flowers, or enticing landscapes. Sadly, McWhirr’s, once a Fall River institution for shopping needs, was torn down some years ago.  The Fall River Historical Society revives the McWhirr’s candy counter, complete with the McWhirr’s signature paper candy boxes during the annual Victorian Christmas House Tour in the city.

     

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