August 4 marked the 134th anniversary of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in their Fall River home. Lizzie Borden was accused of the murders but was ultimately acquitted. More than a century later, the case remains one of the most famous in American history and continues to draw attention to Fall River. The question is: has the city done enough to embrace and benefit from that history?
This week, Fall River historian and 1892 Borden case expert Stephanie Koorey shared on Facebook a letter she wrote to the editor of a local newspaper in 2025. In it, she urged the City of Fall River to take advantage of the increased interest expected from Netflix’s Monster series about the Lizzie Borden case, which premieres on September 17, 2026.
In her letter, she offers a number of feasible ideas to raise historical tourism and give tourists additional experiences in the City. There has been little indication that the city has implemented her suggestions.
By Stephanie Koorey, PHD
A letter I wrote in July of 2025 to the editor. They don’t print letters anymore.
To the Editor,
Next year, Netflix will release a new Monster series centered on Lizzie Borden. This show will be widely watched and will inevitably bring a surge of visitors to Fall River, eager to explore the city’s history. Currently, aside from tours of the Borden house, there is little organized for tourists to do. This is a missed opportunity.
The city should seize this moment to revitalize its commitment to historical tourism. Simple steps could make a huge impact:
- Mark historic downtown buildings that stood in 1892, with plaques or QR codes telling their stories.
- Outline on the streets the area destroyed by the Great Fire of 1928 to convey its scale.
- Develop a self-guided virtual walking tour app tracing Andrew Borden’s last walk and other key sites, with then-and-now photos and narratives.
- Offer guided or self-guided walking tours of Oak Grove Cemetery, highlighting not only the Borden plot but other notable citizens.
- Utilize the city trolley for weekend tours that weave together Lizzie Borden, the Great Fire, the Underground Railroad, and Fall River’s industrial past.
- Create additional tours—both virtual and physical—focusing on the Underground Railroad and the city’s beautiful historic homes.
- Host a horror film festival in October and partner with local businesses for Victorian-themed events.
- Support pop-up exhibits, street performances, and storytelling nights in collaboration with the Fall River Historical Society, the Preservation Society, the Chamber of Commerce, Bristol Community College, and local arts organizations.
The upcoming series is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Fall River’s history to the world. The time to act is now—before the spotlight arrives.
Sincerely,
Stefani Koorey
