{"id":20008,"date":"2023-07-18T17:22:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T21:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/?p=20008"},"modified":"2023-07-18T17:42:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T21:42:10","slug":"fall-river-historical-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/fall-river-historical-society\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall River Historical Society"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Blog by Jayne Darcy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Step back in time at a magnificent Fall River mansion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Housed in a 19<sup>th<\/sup> century mansion and listed on the National Register of Historic Places,<\/em> <em>Fall River Historical Society is a museum, a library, a tourist destination, and much more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"636\" height=\"414\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Exterior-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Exterior-2.jpg 636w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Exterior-2-480x312.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 636px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Fall River Historical Society is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you picture a historical society as a dark sleepy place filled with old objects in display cases, you\u2019re in for a big surprise at Fall River Historical Society (FRHS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, the FRHS is a museum that\u2019s been dedicated to preserving the history of Fall River, Massachusetts since 1921. &nbsp;But the dynamic, multi-faceted organization is also a stunning mansion that\u2019s listed on the National Register of Historic Places \u2026 a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all around the country \u2026 a star of the New England holiday season \u2026 and much more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">&#8220;The Hidden Gem of the South Coast&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Boston Globe<\/em> has called the FRHS \u201cthe hidden gem of the south coast,\u201d and it\u2019s easy to understand why. &nbsp;Here are some of the things that draw a steady stream of tourists, writers, journalists, filmmakers, and city residents to its doors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"165\" height=\"216\" data-id=\"20017\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Painting-by-Tim-Belt.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20017\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"658\" data-id=\"20016\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Painting-by-N.-Wong.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Painting-by-N.-Wong.jpg 662w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Painting-by-N.-Wong-480x477.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 662px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Lovely to look at and fun to visit: paintings of Fall River Historical Society and its iconic fence by artists Timothy Belt (left) and Nicole Wong (right).<\/em><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>largest Lizzie Borden exhibit in the world<\/strong>, including the alleged murder weapon, the original crime scene photos, and rare items acquired from private collectors on several continents. &nbsp;If you\u2019re interested in Lizzie Borden, you don\u2019t want to miss this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The entrance to<strong> a secret room<\/strong> <strong>on the Underground Railroad <\/strong>that was used to shelter slaves on the run during the Civil War.&nbsp; Can you guess where it was hidden?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An <strong>acclaimed holiday open house<\/strong> with dazzling Christmas trees decorated in different creative themes each year \u2026 <em>Ode to Marie Antoinette<\/em> and <em>A Snowy Winter Night\u2019s Dream<\/em>, to name just two examples. &nbsp;This event attracts thousands of visitors from near and far during the holidays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>first-rate boutique and gift shop<\/strong> stocked with charming and whimsical merchandise, old-fashioned candies and confections, an entire Christmas room, and a nook with books by local authors and works about Fall River.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Charlton Library of Fall River History<\/strong>, the go-to resource for research about every aspect of the city, including genealogical information. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there\u2019s the house itself:&nbsp; a stately 19<sup>th<\/sup> century granite mansion on beautiful grounds with Victorian gardens and a gazebo. &nbsp;It\u2019s a pleasure just looking at it as you walk or drive by, but its magnificent period interior is really a must-see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A Treasure Trove of Local History<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Women-at-Work-Exhibit.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Women-at-Work-Exhibit.jpg 624w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Women-at-Work-Exhibit-480x184.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 624px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An image from the <\/em>Women at Work<em> exhibit, an oral history of 20<sup>th<\/sup> century female workers.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The mission of the FRHS &nbsp;is to preserve Fall River\u2019s history and share it with the public, and that alone accounts for much of the Society\u2019s great appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With its vast and diverse collections, the FRHS is a treasure trove of interesting, beautiful, and unique artifacts from the late 17<sup>th<\/sup> to the mid-20<sup>th<\/sup> century, all with a connection to the city of Fall River and its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These items tell fascinating tales of days gone by in Fall River \u2013 stories told in textiles, old yearbooks, and mug shots as well as ornate paintings, furniture, and decorative objects once owned by the city\u2019s wealthiest families, and also by &nbsp;thousands of photographs in various formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>Women at Work<\/em> exhibit, for example, is more than an oral history of Fall River\u2019s working-class women in the years 1920 to 1970.&nbsp; It is, as the Society\u2019s website says, \u201ct<em>he unique story of a city determined to reestablish itself\u201d during a time of change and hardship. <\/em><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The FRHS collections include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Americana<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Costumes and accessories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decorative arts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ephemera<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fall River textile industry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local history<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manuscripts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maritime<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paintings, drawings, and sculpture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photographs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"415\" height=\"699\" data-id=\"20021\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Guarunteed-Fast-COlors-FRHS-print.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Guarunteed-Fast-COlors-FRHS-print.png 415w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Guarunteed-Fast-COlors-FRHS-print-178x300.png 178w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"20022\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-fabric-sample.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-fabric-sample.jpg 470w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-fabric-sample-201x300.jpg 201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"418\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"20012\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Fabric-Swatches.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Fabric-Swatches.jpg 418w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Fabric-Swatches-179x300.jpg 179w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Swatches of cotton fabrics made in Fall River in the 1930s.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Items are displayed in both virtual and traditional exhibits, and a new exhibit space, the Douglas Hills Borden Jr. and Joan Louise Borden Gallery<strong>, <\/strong>willsoon enable the museum to share even more items with the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read more about the collections <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/fallriverhistorical.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A Secret and Historic Hiding Place<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"590\" height=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Circular-Room.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Circular-Room.jpg 590w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Circular-Room-480x263.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 590px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This circular room at the Historical Society holds a fascinating secret: the hidden entrance to a room\u00a0where slaves were given shelter on the Underground Railroad. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At its original location on Columbia Street in Fall River, the FRHS mansion was one of several city stations on the Underground Railroad, the network that helped slaves who had escaped from the South travel to freedom in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The owner of the residence, businessman Andrew Robeson, converted a wine cellar into a hiding place and had a bookcase built in front of its entrance. \u00a0Slaves on the run were smuggled into the secret room and concealed there until it was time to move on to their next stop, usually during the night. \u00a0Today,\u00a0the well-designed entrance to the secret shelter can still be seen at the FRHS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A Spectacular Holiday Open House<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Holiday-Tree-at-Open-House-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Holiday-Tree-at-Open-House-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Holiday-Tree-at-Open-House-980x654.jpg 980w, https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FRHS-Holiday-Tree-at-Open-House-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><em>A mesmerizing Christmas tree at Fall River Historical Society\u2019s annual holiday open house.<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Society\u2019s annual holiday Open House, known as <em>Deck the Halls<\/em>!, takes visitors back in time to experience the splendor of a grand Christmas past in the Victorian age. The mansion is decked out in holiday finery in period style from room to room and is truly a sight to behold, attracting thousands of visitors from around the region each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight for many attendees is a series of dazzling Christmas trees, decorated in different and unusual themes each year. &nbsp;You might see an upside-down tree, a tree styled to look like a grand evening gown, or even a tree strewn with images of Krampus, St. Nicholas\u2019 diabolical dark companion.&nbsp; Each tree takes several weeks to create, an effort painstakingly carried out by curators, staff, and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This signature FRHS event has been featured on television programs including <em>Chronicle<\/em> and in <em>Victorian Homes<\/em> magazine, and is a cherished holiday tradition for many. &nbsp;Attendees say that the decor rivals that at the famous Newport mansions, and call it \u201cbreathtaking,\u201d \u201cmagical,\u201d and \u201cdazzling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Engaging Events<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The FRHS is also a leader on the cultural landscape, hosting numerous engaging arts, education, and entertainment events for both children and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s an annual summer lecture series about interesting aspects of Fall River history \u2013 for example, the story of city native Rose Wentworth, one of the greatest circus equestriennes of all time.&nbsp; The FRHS also hosts many book signings with local authors, plays and concerts on the grounds, and special seasonal offerings such as tea with Santa and Mrs. Claus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So if you\u2019ve never been to Fall River Historical Society, what are you waiting for?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go take a look \u2013 you\u2019ll be glad you did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did you know that the Fall River Historical Society is also the home of the world&#8217;s largest collection of items related to Lizzie Borden and the infamous Borden Murder Case? <a href=\"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/where-you-can-find-the-worlds-largest-lizzie-borden-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check out our blog for the scoop! <\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For more information about Fall River Historical Society and its events, visit: \u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fallriverhistorical.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/fallriverhistorical.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FallRiverHistoricalSociety\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FallRiverHistoricalSociety<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Housed in a 19th century mansion and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fall River Historical Society is a museum, a library, a tourist destination, and much more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20023,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"categories":[569,151],"tags":[15,577,578,375,74,440,579],"class_list":["post-20008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions","category-visit","tag-art","tag-collections","tag-fabric","tag-fall-river-historical-society","tag-history","tag-lizzie-borden","tag-textiles"],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20008"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20029,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20008\/revisions\/20029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}