Lizzie Andrew Borden
Virtual Museum and Library FAQ
1.
Did Lizzie Borden kill her father and stepmother? While books
have been written saying she did the dirty deeds, Lizzie Borden was
actually acquitted of the crimes on June 20, 1893. Subsequent mock trials
of the case have also reached the same conclusions, based on the evidence
submitted. So the question should be phrased: Who
killed Andrew and Abby Borden?
2. Was the murderer of Andrew and Abby Borden ever found?
No. After the acquittal of Lizzie Borden the police did not investigate
the crime further. They were convinced that she was the culprit.
3. Can I visit the house in which the crimes were committed?
Yes. The house where Andrew and Abby were killed has been turned into
a Bed and Breakfast and Museum. You can take a tour of the house or
you can stay the night in Lizzie’s room—you can even sleep
on the floor where Abby’s body was discovered, if you have the
courage!
4. Is Lizzie’s house on the hill, Maplecroft, open to
the public? No. At one time the house’s current owner
had turned the place into a Bed and Breakfast, but that is no longer
the case. You can drive by and take photos of the outside of the house
only.
5. Where is Lizzie buried? Lizzie, Emma, Andrew, Abby,
and Lizzie’s mother Sarah are all buried in the family plot at
Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River.
Visiting the grave sites is a must-do part of any trip to Fall River.
6. Why did Emma move out of Maplecroft? No one knows.
Theories have been put forth for years, some wildly speculating that
Lizzie was living a wild lifestyle and Emma was disgusted by her behavior
and party life. However, there is no proof of any of these activities,
so the reason for the sister’s separation remains an unanswered
part of the mystery.
7. Which books do you recommend to read on the case?
My personal favorite is Victoria Lincoln’s A Private Disgrace,
but that is mainly because it is well-written, not that I agree with
her theory of the case. You will find that most of the British compendiums
on murder that include this case are often factually incorrect, so it
is advised that you read them at your own risk. Instead of reading a
fictional account of the crimes (or a book that purports to be non-fiction)
The Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library suggests that you
read the primary source material first: the Police Witness Statements,
the Inquest, the Preliminary Hearing, and the Trial itself. All of these
are now available for sale or as
a download on this site.
8. I have written a researched article, poem, short story, etc.,
on the case and I would like to know if the Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual
Museum and Library would publish it? This site accepts manuscripts
and works of fiction (including poetry) for submission. If you have
something to contribute, by all means contact
us!
9. Are there any journals or periodicals that are published
on this case? Yes. Only one. The Lizzie Borden Quarterly,
edited by Maynard F. Bertolet, has ceased publication. The only journal
that investigates the Borden Murders is now The Hatchet: Journal
of Lizzie Borden Studies. It is on online magazine. Click
here
for subscription information.
10. How do I acknowledge this site if I use something from it
in a research paper for school or publication?
Koorey, Stefani (Ed.). “Page Title in Quotes.” Lizzie Andrew
Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Accessed:
4 August, 2008
.
http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com
11. Why did you do this web site? I and others who
study this case are intrigued by the unsolved nature of the crimes.
The fact that they occurred 110 years ago during the Gilded Age in American
social history makes it a very interesting story. The flavor of the
times, the rule of law, 19th Century police investigative techniques,
the social milieu of Fall River, Massachusetts at the turn of the Century,
the complicated Borden family dynamics, and the peripheral characters
and stories related to the case makes this much more than just an exercise
for the armchair detective.
12. How large is this site? The Lizzie Andrew Borden
Virtual Museum and Library is ever evolving, with new pages added regularly.
As of this date, July 19, 2002, there are 162 pages and over 1,000 images
on this site.
13. Is there a Lizzie Borden discussion board or chat room?
Yes. The Lizzie Borden Virtual Museum and Library hosts a discussion
forum called The
Lizzie Borden Society. You are welcome to lurk or join and post
your thoughts and theories on the case. This forum is unique among Lizzie
Borden discussion sites in that it is populated by both Borden scholars
and laymen, all learning from each other in a polite and supportive
way. We are a happy group who are eager to hear what YOU have to say.
PearTree Press, P.O. Box 9585, Fall River, MA 02720
Page updated 4 August, 2008
