My experience at the B&B a few years ago

[dalcanton]

Hi, I'm a newbie to this site. I discovered it while surfing the net & it resparked my interest in the LB murders. The Lizzie Borden case is definitely a cold case - almost 117 years old! Although I put the case on the back burner for a few years, I've never completely lost my fascination with it. It's one of those infamous whodunits that will never be solved (unless some mysterious diary shows up one day). A few years ago, I visited the original house (B&B) in Fall River, MA, & stayed overnight. None of my friends were interested in going, so I ended up sleeping alone in the John Morse Guest Room, where Abby was murdered. I don't believe in the supernatural, although I LOVE to read about it. I was ok until it was time to turn in. With the door to the guest room shut & the shadows creeping along the walls - more than once I could've sworn I saw the shadow of a hatchet raised high & ready to strike - (and w/that spooky portrait of Uncle Morse hanging on the wall - his eyes were chilling), I started to feel very uneasy. My imagination was running wild. I kept thinking that I was actually lying next to the spot where poor Abby had been hacked to death. Also, for some reason, I was so sure that at any minute I was going to suddenly feel a "weight" on the bed as though someone were either sitting or laying down with me. It didn't happen & I survived the night, but wow, what an experience! And the dress dummy with Elizabeth Montgomery's dress on it didn't help either. In between fitful winks of sleep, I'd open my eyes & see an outline of the dummy standing there & I thought it was Lizzie's ghost or Abby's - all this from someone who doesn't believe in ghosts! I might've slept 1 hr that night. My stay at the B&B was quite an adventure. Luckily, I met 2 sisters who were staying in Lizzie's bedroom & we quickly became friends and socialized all weekend. We went to dinner, visited Maplecroft, Oak Grove Cemetery & the FRHS, so I was grateful I had someone to pal around with (since my friends all chickened out!). Anyway, I plan to take my mom to Salem this coming October & I think I'll make another side trip to Fall River. Don't know if I can convince her to stay overnight, but I at least want to see the house again & do the tour. I still have my "I Survived a Night at the Lizzie Borden House" T-shirt & I do wear it proudly :)

[snokkums]

Well, you are braver than I am to be sleeping in the room where Abby was killed. I guess my mind would be running wild with me if I was in that room!

Glad you enjoyed it, I hope I can get there someday.

[kssunflower]

Welcome to the forum! Unlike your friends, I'd jump at the chance to spend a night at Lizzie's. Probably not get much sleep either, but it'd be worth it.

[Shelley]

Welcome! After nearly 11 years working there, and numerous attempts to sleep in the Morse room- sleep is hard to come by , even with the little light on and the door open. Any other room is fine- just not THAT room.

[Angel]

That is so funny, because that's the only room I will stay in. The other ones, especially Lizzie's first small room, give me the willies. When I stayed in the Morse room the Elizabeth Montgomery dress thing kind of gave me a reassurance because I liked her and knew she was a good person when she was alive.

[Kat]

HI!
I don't think I could sleep in that room.
I have a picture Stef took of me by the bed and behind me on the west (street) wall is the drawn portrait of Uncle Morse which you mention, and he looks like he is glaring right at me! I didn't notice at the time.
Creepy!

[Bob Gutowski]

I only thought it was not the most comfortable room because we're used to sleeping in a king-size bed. Otherwise, I was excited to be there in the guest room.

[Kat]

Welcome! After nearly 11 years working there, and numerous attempts to sleep in the Morse room- sleep is hard to come by , even with the little light on and the door open. Any other room is fine- just not THAT room.

You've left me wondering, because I read every word in our magazine: but your biographical entry in the newest issue of The Hatchet has you stating you have worked at the B&B for 8 years- not 11. Does the bio material need updating?

[Chichibcc]

I would LOVE to visit the B&B one day-but you couldn't pay me enough to stay in that guest room-any other room would be okay, but I would definitely pass on that one, no thank you!

[MysteryReader]

I want to visit and stay there, too. I'm not sure which room I'd like - the guest bedroom or Lizzie's bedroom Of course, I think I'd love to work there, too. I find it fascinating.