Fall River Historical Society: A Gem in a Dying City

The Fall River Historical Society Museum hides in the quiet yet picturesque Highlands section of Fall River, Massachusetts. Once one of the most highly industrialized city in the 1800s, Fall River now lives among the forgotten urban wonders in the state. This Victorian Mansion with lush gardens fit for a king holds many secrets and stories of Fall River's tawdry and noble past.

All guests go on tours with a very knowledgeable and rehearsed tour guide. The guides can answer any question you may have and then some. I learned so much about drape puddling, I could write a nice report. The guides lead groups around the house and lecture about almost every piece in each room. Now, the Society houses some of the most beautiful and creepy artifacts that I have ever seen. Some of the highlights include arced doors in the dining room, period clothing and more importantly evidence from the Lizzie Borden trail. Yes, evidence, stuff that was shown in court. Ewww.....

The lectures and artifacts serve as brief history lessons on Fall River's most notorious time period. To be honest, the lectures are a bit long, but very interesting. You have to really enjoy history to want to sit/stand through them. The shear beauty of the house make up for the lengthy lectures. Portraits line the elegantly painted walls and hand made furniture and trinkets fill each room. You realize the amount of money that existed in in Fall River at that time. It is extraordinary and sad all at the same time.

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside but the visions you see will last a lifetime. I really cannot go into too much detail because it will spoil the visit but gold plated ceiling drawings, locks of Lizzie Borden's mother's hair, blood spattered pillow cases make an appearance. Also, although the tour is long, the museum is not that spacious. It is just two floors which consists of a substantial gift shop, 3 rooms on the lower level and a larger upstairs area that houses period clothing, a bedroom, a bath and an exhibit under construction. I can't give it all away. You need to see it for yourself. (Creepy infant coffins anyone....?)

During the holidays, the Society celebrates Victorian Christmas Festivities. They also open the adjacent building as the Easton Tea Room and guests are treated to a traditional tea. This space can also be rented out for private parties.

This museum is something you have to see to believe. I still cannot wrap my head around it existing in mangy Fall River but it does and it makes me happy. I see now why older Fall River natives love the city so much. They see its greatest through its squalor.

That's me pretending to be Victorian, but I am showing far to much skin.