Viva Fall River

History Buffs

Fall River is rich in old-world European culture, interwoven with a textile heritage and architecture that tells the tale of “Troy City”.

Video collaboration by Alluring Media Co. and Ethan DeAguiar of 8 Arm Creative.

Imagine 19th-century textile and cotton mills overflowing with fabric to be made into soft goods for all of America.

These majestic brick and granite mill buildings still stand today and are woven into the fabric of the city’s history. You can spend up to four hours traveling back in time during your visit.

Here’s how to start…

First, visit the Fall River Historical Society which houses 19th-century artifacts from the golden age of Fall River.

Peruse the Lizzie Borden collection, an array of costumes and accessories, well-preserved photographs and manuscripts, along with period artwork, furnishings, and textile exhibits. If time is short, but you want to learn more, purchase a history book written by a local author at the gift shop on your way out. Travelers can easily spend up to 60 minutes here.

If the Revolutionary War is more your style, you’ll love touring the inside of the Lafayette Durfee House.

Here you’ll have a chance to experience colonists cooking at an open hearth and sitting in straight-backed chairs reading by candlelight. The house, filled with original antique furniture and rare paintings, is a must-see for history enthusiasts.

Expect to drop in for about 30 minutes.

Nearby Eats

Enjoy a hearty English meat pie at Hartley’s Pork Pies (Resident Patti Rego’s favorite lunch spot) or Harry’s Restaurant, located on South Main Street in the heart of downtown for more traditional food choices.
For all you Lizzie Borden fans, head over to the original home of the woman who allegedly murdered her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892. During your tour, you can decide for yourself if Lizzie – who was acquitted of the gruesome, bloody massacre – really got away with murder!

If you dare, you can plan to spend an overnight at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, a popular haunt for true crime enthusiasts from all over the world.

After leaving Lizzie’s house, stick around to visit her gravesite, located at the historic Oak Grove Cemetery.

After leaving Lizzie’s house, stick around to visit her gravesite, located at the historic Oak Grove Cemetery.

Meanwhile, note that the Bordens are not the only well-known family laid to rest here. Other founding fathers who helped shape the city’s industrial growth: the Davols, the Durfees, and the Brayton families, to name a few, are laid to rest here too.

Be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes at Oak Grove, as the cemetery takes up 100 acres of land off Prospect Street.

Pop Quiz:

Whose gravestone is more impressive? Lizzie Borden’s or her father Andrew Borden’s?

Fun Fact

The City of Fall River was built on a natural slab of quarry granite, much of which was dug out of the earth and used to construct mill buildings and other structures over the years. The Gothic Revival-themed archway that welcomes visitors to Oak Grove Cemetery was built out of this pricey natural stone.

WANT SOME TUNES FOR THE ROAD TRIP?

SCAN THIS LINK OR CLICK HERE TO HEAR OUR PLAYLIST!

WANT SOME MORE PLACES TO CHECK OUT WHILE YOU’RE HERE?

VIEW MORE

CHOOSE AN ICON TO LEARN MORE