By Tim Binnall
In commemoration of his first full year of ownership, the new proprietor of the Lizzie Borden 'murder house' detailed an extensive array of upgrades to the historic building. The residence, located in Fall River, Massachusetts became infamous back in 1892 when it served as the setting for a grisly double ax murder which led to a sensational trial that captivated the country. Believed by some to be haunted, the home has been a tourist attraction for nearly 30 years and was purchased in 2021 by Lance Zaal, owner of the tour company US Ghost Adventures. While there was some concern over the fate of the building when it was sold, a recently released "report to the public" suggests that the spooky landmark is in good hands.
Among the "preservation efforts, improvements, and changes" to the site over the last year, Zaal explained, are the disconnection of an antique stove that "would occasionally leak gas," repairs made to damaged walls, and the replacement of rotted doors to the gift shop. As the residence also serves as a bed and breakfast for visitors daring enough to stay overnight in the purportedly haunted house, the new owners have also upgraded the bedrooms with new mattresses, linens, and pillows. "I want our guests to be comfortable," Zaal wrote, "especially if they can brave the night to get a decent amount of sleep!"
Additionally, the museum aspect of the home now has improved display cases to "showcase important pieces of history from the house," including various artifacts owned by Lizzie Borden and new pieces purchased by Zaal, such as "a Victorian-era camera used to take the crime scene photos." They have also recreated the living room of the residence to more closely resemble what it looked like at the time of the notorious murders. To that end, Zaal highlighted a unique new addition to the offerings at the 'murder house' gift shop for visitors with a macabre sense of humor: "an official Lizzie Borden hatchet."