The infamous residence of Lizzie Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts, continues to capture public imagination more than a century after a notorious double murder occurred within its walls. The house, located at 230 Second Street, has gained a reputation as one of America’s most haunted properties, and today it operates as both a bed and breakfast and a museum dedicated to its chilling history.
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Lizzie Borden, who was acquitted of the murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in 1893, remains a figure shrouded in controversy and intrigue. The brutal killings, carried out with a hatchet, sparked national headlines and established a grisly legacy. The children’s rhyme that emerged from the case, recounting the murders in a macabre manner – “Lizzie Borden took an ax / And gave her mother forty whacks / When she saw what she had done / She gave her father forty-one” – continues to echo through popular culture, reinforcing the house’s eerie reputation.
The Borden home was acquired by Andrew Borden in 1872. Originally split into two apartments, he transformed it into a single-family dwelling for his household. The six-bedroom house, built in 1845, encompasses three floors and includes a barn, placing it within walking distance of the vibrant town centre.
The events that transpired in August 1892 remain hauntingly vivid in the memories of those drawn to the site. On that tragic day, Lizzie and the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, were the only two individuals in the house when Abby Borden was attacked first. The eldest Borden woman had been in an upstairs guest room, preparing it for visitors. Roughly 90 minutes later, Andrew Borden was found murdered in the parlor, seemingly unaware of the impending danger as he lay on the couch.
Following the grisly murders, the home changed hands several times. While the names of the initial purchasers post-Borden are not well-documented, a couple bought the property in 1948. Later, their granddaughter, Martha McGinn, transformed the residence into a tourist attraction, leveraging its dark history. Since 1996, the site has operated as a bed and breakfast, providing visitors with a unique and unsettling experience.
In 2004, the property underwent further change when Lee-Ann Wilbers and Donald Woods acquired it and began offering guided tours. Recently, in 2021, U.S. Ghost Adventures took ownership, continuing to capitalise on the house’s haunted reputation while providing immersive experiences for fans of the paranormal.
Currently, the Lizzie Borden House does not have a permanent resident, aside from a caretaker residing in the barn who oversees the operations. Guests seeking a night at this historic site can book a room at relatively affordable rates, beginning around £160 per night for one person. A breakfast service is available at an additional £16 per person, allowing visitors to start their day with a meal steeped in the house’s engaging atmosphere.
Reports of ghostly encounters abound, with guests and staff recounting eerie experiences throughout the property. Apparitions, unexplained shadows, and objects moving autonomously are just a few of the phenomena reported in nearly every room. Notably, many guests have cited the third-floor bedrooms—the Andrew Jennings Room, the Bridget Sullivan Room, and the Hosea Knowlton Room—as hotspots for supernatural occurrences, with visitors often sharing anecdotes about being touched when alone or capturing mysterious faces in photographs.
As evidenced by both the ongoing interest and the property’s ability to attract tourists, the Lizzie Borden House continues to stand as a testament to the impact of its dark past. Whether one approaches it from the perspective of history, mystery, or the thrill of the unknown, Lizzie Borden’s former home offers a compelling glimpse into America’s macabre legacy while honouring the curious spirit of those drawn to its haunted halls.