Lizzie Borden House: August 4th Re-enactments

Many of you may know of – or even attended – the annual August 4th re-enactments of the discovery of the murders of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother on that same date in 1892 in Fall River, Ma. Well, so much has changed since the new owner took over. For example, they no longer accept phone calls so if you know (and/or communicate) with people who work there, you’ll get some information, slim as it is. Here’s a tidbit from a friend of a friend on Facebook:

Lance Zaal, new owner

“Vic Leo Hey everyone! I work at the house and am directing this year’s re-enactment. In order to keep things safer and less crowded in the house (covid cases here in MA are beginning to spike again ) we are doing things a little differently this year. There are going to be three days of reenactment events. It’ll be performed live inside the house and live-streamed out to a projector in the parking lot where more people will be able to view it safely. The events are on August 8th, 15th, and 29th. I’m unsure if it’ll be online, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Let me double check that and I’ll update asap.”

In the meantime, check out this Timeline on the events that happened the two weeks before and the day of August 4th, 1892. As you read it, put yourself in the action. Click HERE.

 

MORE (SAD?) NEWS ON LIZZIE BORDEN B&B UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Erika Mailman wrote a lengthy piece for the online Smithsonian Magazine in which she describes more changes to take place as stated by new owner Lance Zaal. Opinions of its transformation shared by Shelley Dziedzic and myself were given in interviews for the same article.

What I’ve often referred to as “Mecca” is now a chrysalis morphing into a place where “mindless paranormalizers who pretend to see ghosts to get TikTok likes” (-Erika Mailman) is its current destiny. Now guests can squeal with contrived delight while case purists who’ve spent the night before will shake their heads and say what the f*ck?

From replacing the antique replica stove with a modern one, to adding a bedroom in the basement – these changes can be read in the article HERE.

Clearly, the experiences of those who booked overnight stays at this iconic edifice have been terminated. The factual historic residue has dissipated under the weight of contrived ghostly and paranormal experience options.

The House has been a tourist destination under three “generations” of Innkeepers. The first was Martha McGinn and Ron Evans from 1996 to 2004. They purchased most of the furnishings and fixtures that still remain, ensuring the House retained its 1890’s feel. The gift shop was in the abutting Leary Press. People came from all over the world.

The second generation was with Donald Woods (75% owner) and Lee-ann Wilber from 2004 to 2021. It was Donald’s money and Lee-ann’s oversight that gave southern exposure to the first floor windows, and freed up space for the barn replica to be constructed when the entire Leary Press was demolished. People came from all over the world.

Now comes the third generation with U.S. Ghost Adventures (aka Lance Zaal). His planned changes will transform the essence of The House forever, or at least for as long as he owns the property. And who can say how long that will be? Will people bother to come to Fall River from all over the world?

Mr. Zaal says he wants to “export” Lizzie to those who can’t visit Fall River, meaning an emphasis on online content.” “Lizzie Borden needs to adapt and move into a different century if it’s going to appeal to a new generation.” (Note: Lizzie Borden has continued to fascinate generation after generation since 1892). Oh, Mr. Zaal, informed perspective is so often absent in the minds of the unread.

Meanwhile, for me, it’s as if Godzilla surfaced from Mt. Hope Bay, stomped his way over to 92 Second Street (230) and fell, full body, on that iconic drab green structure. The gawking crowd weeps – for it was Lizzie he loved.

 

Update on the Lizzie Borden House

(Note: On all my previous blog posts, click the title and you’ll be able to see Comments in the column to the right).

Read about the latest changes HERE.

Image from Spooky Southcoast

Clearly, a new era. I feel as if Godzilla surfaced from Mt. Hope Bay, stomped his way over to 92 Second Street (230) and fell, full body, on that iconic drab green structure.

The most novice of Borden researchers can spot the obvious error here. But more to the point are the changes.

Mr. Zaal continues to cast aspersions on the way the B&B was operated under the prior management. He fails to realize the lack of marketing was because it marketed itself, resulting in repeat customer visits.

Also, reviews in Trip Advisor, newspaper reports, etc., guests frequently remarked how comfortable the beds were. He states he has replaced the mattresses. Perhaps he has wired them for spooky sounds in the night.

He says he’ll be doing a re-enactment of the crimes on August 4th. Oh boy. Some sequels fail miserably when compared to the classic original.

Goodbye Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast. Hello Son of Godzilla.

 

Sequence of Events – Lee-ann Wilber

UPDATE: Saturday, June 5th at approximately 9:30 pm, Eastern time, Lee-ann Wilber passed away .

,

His watch has ended.

The confusion, misinformation, speculation, hushed inferences, and no harm/no foul regurgitations compel me to set the record straight. The tipping point came when a woman in Pawtucket, Rhode Island emailed me she was Lee-ann’s sister (which I found out she was not) and scolded me for being so abusive and inconsiderate of the family. I will not give her name, though certain parties can figure it out. Neither will I credit nor give names of the sources I’m using as some people are unnecessarily offended when names are cited with expressed remarks.

My sole intention here is to stop those traveling on the pebbled pathway leading them away from facts and left to trip over themselves. (I know this because I fell upon that pathway myself.) I also want to ensure my readers – who never knew Lee-ann or even been to Fall River but are Borden case devotees – to get the correct information.

So let us begin.

On Thursday May 27th, Escrow closed on the sale of the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast to Lance Zaal, aka U.S. Ghost Adventures.

On Thursday, May 27th, Lee-ann was found unresponsive in her home and was taken to the hospital. She had a life threatening condition that caused massive internal bleeding. Due to the bleeding and other medical conditions, she was placed in a medically induced coma for treatment.

On Friday night, May 28th, She had two procedures to correct the bleed but her blood counts were declining.

On Saturday, May 29th, Lee-ann’s mother was informed Lee-ann started having brain seizures. Some of her blood levels were at toxic levels. Dialysis would be needed to help flush out the toxins.

On Sunday, May 30th, She was taken for CT scans which showed swelling of the brain.

On Tuesday, June 1st, Lee-ann was taken off the ventilator and given an IV drip of morphine to ensure she had no pain.

On Tuesday, June 1st in the early evening, Shelley Dziedzic posted on her blog, Warps and Wefts that Lee-ann had died. Immediately, that information was shared on Facebook with dozens who knew her who exchanged hundreds of posts and private messages on their own FB pages, blogs and websites.

On Tuesday June 1st at 6:46 pm, Stefani Koorey posted a lengthy remembrance of Lee-ann, written almost like an obituary,

On Tuesday, June 1st at 6:45 pm Pacific Time, I received an email from Stefani Koorey: “I thought you should know that Lee Ann passed away tonight. Very sad and tragic news.”

On Tuesday, June 1st at approximately 8:30 pm Eastern Time, Shelley took off her post without any further word. Stefani reported this on her Facebook page, chastising Shelley for the shock and confusion she caused. I did the same on my Facebook page, calling it a Giant Klusterphuck.

On Tuesday, June 2, Shelley posted on her Warps and Wefts blog that: “Last night, I had received incorrect information from two sources, one being from the hospital where she is in the ICU. It was an honest error and I am sorry to have caused anyone pain”.

Social media, particularly Facebook and specifically in private messages, continued to run rampant with pleas for prayers for Lee-ann’s recovery, citations of how strong she was and would pull through, a continuation of false information and speculation. I myself have received over 550 combined emails and PM’s.

There is nothing that can be done at this point. She will not recover. She will not wake up. She will not survive. She remains in a coma. As a close friend said, “We are on Lee-ann time.”

For those that pray, pray for her family. Consider a GoFundMe page to help with her hospital bills, if not a donation to the Faxxon Animal Shelter as Shelley has suggested.

As for me, I want to see a permanent plaque and image of her appropriately placed at The Lizzie Borden House for all future visitors to see. Those that visited before need to remember, – and those that come for the first time need to know – that the heart, soul, and true spirit of the historic and iconic place they stand belongs to Lee-ann Wilber.

 

LIZZIE BORDEN HOUSE – If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The article below is an interview with the new owner, Lance
Zaal, on some of the changes and additions he is making to this popular Fall River attraction – from solar panels on the Gift Shop to no on-site parking for guests.

https://amp.southcoasttoday.com/amp/7456810002

But you really don’t get the full picture of what is changing and how those changes will alter the visitor experience that has endured for 25 years. To absorb that information, one must delve deeply into the Lizzie Borden House website HERE Please take the time to read it thoroughly.

Rates have gone up. Breakfast costs you extra. (Hence the name change from “…Bed and Breakfast” to Lizzie Borden “House”). No more roaming wherever you want anytime for overnight guests. Radical changes in cancellation policy, just to name a few. Those that are into the paranormal like touring the whole house, especially Knowlton’s room. Sorry, not any more.

The business model and operations at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum have hardly changed since this Fall River landmark opened in 1996 by my long time friend, Martha McGinn. Except for the accommodations to support the exploding interest in the paranormal and to capture that market, the overall experience in the daily tours and overnight stays has remained the same. The formula has worked because people keep coming back again, and again, and again. It’s precisely that experience that has sustained this business for two and half decades. People book long in advance excited in their expectations for when they return. It’s like when you dine out to a very special restaurant – you go back again and again because you want that same experience. Well folks, it just ain’t gonna be the same.

It’s not like discovering they put a Starbucks on Disneyland’s Main Street. That is but a mere pimple upon the landscape that fails to alter your overall magical experience. But what the Lizzie Borden House experience will become is a totally different thing. Pock marked. No longer will we feel the texture of that tattered fabric and its pulsating historic residue. Instead we will scurry through a neon-lit bounce house with sequined bedspreads and a carnival barker, “Get your tickets here!”

To Donald Woods and Lee-ann Wilber I say, thank you for keeping the experience alive as long as you did.

To Lance Zaal, I lament with a hollow plea: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Goodbye, old friend. I’m so glad I knew you when.