Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I just had the most wonderful Lizzie-related experience that I'd like to share with everyone! I've been visiting Fall River this week & today I took a trip to the Bristol County Courthouse in New Bedford where Lizzie's trial was held. Just seeing the old building was thrilling. It had that bygone feeling about it, especially with the peeling paint on the steeple. I was going to just get a picture of the outside & leave, but then I decided to try something. I went through the front door & there was a female security guard sitting there. I said, "I know this is a weird question, but is it possible to see the old courtroom where Lizzie Borden was tried?" She was very nice & consulted a male guard. He said a civil trial was in progress, but should break for lunch @ 1 p.m. If I came back then, he'd let me see the room. I couldn't believe my ears! I thought for sure they'd say "no". It was 11:40 so I drove past the Ash Street jail - another Lizzie site & had lunch @ KFC. Finally, I went back @ 12:50 & they let me go through a door to the right inside the entrance, but I had to wait 20 minutes on the steps before the recess. Finally, I ascended the stairs & saw the Lizzie Borden courtroom! Euphoria coursed through me as I took it all in. It was like stepping back in time to 1893. Walking around the courtroom, I saw where the jury sat, stood behind the judge's bench, sat in the approximate area where LB would've sat & sat in the upper benches at the back of the room (where spectators would've sat). The guard had told me those benches were original to the trial. I just sat there, looking around the room, trying to imagine what it would've been like back then to have witnessed the trial. I also took a lot of pictures. What a thrilling experience I had! I actually sat in the Lizzie Borden courtroom!

We await your pictures....??!?!?

debbiediablo wrote:We await your pictures....??!?!?

Yes!

How were you lucky, dalcanton!

I'll upload my pix within the next couple days - promise!

What a great experience!! I'll be SO excited to see the pics!!

Hi, can someone tell me how to upload pix? I don't see the option. Thanks.

Click the Full Editor & Preview Button

Below the dialog box you will see two tabs: Options and Attachments. Click on Attachments.

Click on Add Files.

Then choose from the photos on your computer, click Open, and watch as the photo uploads.

When uploaded, add Comments in the dialog box to describe each photo. (optional)

Click Place Inline.

Then repeat by clicking Add More Files.

Five photos is about the limit per message, and they must be within size limits.

When it's all exactly as to you want in the Preview, click Submit.


I'm horrible at giving directions so I hope nothing is left out..... I am so looking forward to these!!!!

Thanks, debbiediablo! I'll give it a try!

The security guard told me that these benches in the back of the courtroom date back to the time of the trial. Its where the "spectators" sat.

More pics:

Note: the 1st picture shows the windows on the upper floor where the trial took place.

More pics!

The 1st two pictures show the Ash Street Jail where Lizzie was held prisoner nearby.

In the last picture (behind the chair on the right) is where the guard said Lizzie sat during the trial. There was a bench behind the railing.

Thanks for sharing! You'll enjoy Parallel Lives, too,

I loved this!!!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Do we know whose portraits are hanging on the walls?

Hi, DebbieDiablo - there was a civil case wrapping up as I stepped into the courtroom. Once they broke, they asked me what I was doing there & I told them the guard allowed me to see the LB courtroom. She called him to make sure! Anyway, once I mentioned LB, she told me that the pictures on the walls were of former district attorneys. I managed to snag the one of Hosea Knowlton, although it didn't come out too clearly. Dang.

That is totally great!!

These pictures are just wonderful. Thanks so much for posting them!!!

Thank you for posting these pictures. They are awesome!