Lizzie Borden Pt 2: Ghosts and Overnight

Photos: Marisa De Roma (a.k.a The Wandering Oddball)

Disclaimer: This article will mention graphic descriptions of a crime. Also, the subject of mental health and murder-suicide is one of the ghost stories. Reader discretion is advised. 

In the last article, I discussed the whole case with Lizzie Borden, a woman in 1892 who was accused of killing both her father and stepmother with an ax. She ended up getting acquitted and lived her remaining life in Maple Croft Manor till 1927. As the case was notorious for its brutal crime, the Borden House would eventually spawn ghost stories. 

Ghosts 

If you were to ask a guide why the place is so haunted, they would likely say that what exacerbated it was when guests would bring in an Ouija board. Allegedly, what happened was that it got misused and because of it a portal was created for the spirits. It especially got worse a few decades ago when the previous owners brought one to the basement.”

You will be surprised that the Bordens were not the only spectral residents. 

Over the basin in the basement, if you were to look closely at the wall, you could see what looks to be a face. 

Andrew Borden- Based on the way Andrew was killed, he would be a likely candidate to haunt this house. In each bedroom of the house, there is a small dish with coins in it. This is supposedly “rent” money for Andrew. Over the years, guests leave coins as an offering to Andrew so he would not haunt them in the middle of the night. Daredevils would sometimes test Andrew and take a coin or two. According to those same people, the next day, they would see scratch marks on their bodies. 

Abby Borden- It’s no surprise that people report sensing Abby in the house. Photos online show from guests who stayed in the Guest Room where she was murdered, showing an unusual mist forming on the side of the bed.

Bridget- While after the trial, Bridget went back to Ireland with some money she was supposedly given, she did eventually come back to the US. She would marry and move to a farm in Minnesota, where she would live her remaining years there till she passed. Several years ago, someone brought a charcoal rubbing of Bridget's grave, which remains framed in her old room. After that, there was allegedly activity that picked up.

Max the Cat- Cat paint pawprints can be found in the basement by the wash basin the Bordens once used. Many guests report feeling something brushing up against their legs, as well as growling or hissing. People believe it to be the spirit of a cat that belonged to a previous owner, who roams the basement. 

The Face- Behind the pot, original to the Lizzie Borden House, that came into question during the crime, a face is on the brick wall. According to the tour guide, no matter how many times they try sanding it and painting over it still appears. 

Elizabeth- Elizabeth was part of the Borden family prior to Andrew living on the land. While she did not live where the Borden house was, she lived next door. After she gave birth to her third child, a wave of mood changed over her and she completely snapped. One day, she took her children to the well and drowned two of them, with one surviving and able to climb out. When she realized what she had done, she slit her own throat.  Back in the 1800’s, postpartum depression was unfortunately not diagnosable. During the Lizzie Borden trial, when the history of mental illness was questioned, Elizabeth was brought up; however, she was dismissed as she was not a direct blood relative of Lizzie. It is believed that she haunts the basement of the Borden house. People report sensing a draining sensation. Paranormal experts say some spirits try to draw energy from the living to manifest. 

The Two Children- Up in the Hosea Knowlton Room, near Bridget’s room, there are toys in a box.  These are for the spirits of the two deceased children who were murdered by their mother, Elizabeth. Guests and staff report music playing from the toys when no one is around. 

Wait, what about Lizzie?

Well, according to paranormal experts, her spirit is said to reside more in Maple Croft Manor. Though sometimes it is said her spirit may visit the Borden House. Ironic for someone who is the center of attention in all this. 

Reservations

Not only did I want to tour the house, but I wanted to stay the night in one of the most allegedly haunted houses in America.  To book Lizzie’s Room in October 2024, I had to do it as early as possible. October is the busiest month due to the spooky season. While staying the night is somewhat pricey, what is surprising is that it was not as expensive as the time I stayed in Franklin Castle overnight, considering Lizzie Borden is more high-profile. 

House Layout

Lizzie and Emma’s Room- This is the room we stayed in. While we did not experience any paranormal activity, our mom was awakened by something. 

A glowing red exit sign. Remember, this is a museum during the day and they still have to follow a fire code. 

Of course, there were also dishes to point coins into to pay rent to Andrew. I left a penny or two out to humor him. 

The Guest Bedroom- The guest bedroom is where Abby was murdered. Now, you would think the mannequin of how she was found would be removed for guests at night, but the guests in that room had to sleep with the fake cadaver on the ground. Three girls from California were staying in that room and showed me the covered mannequin. I wish I had taken a photo of it. Hope no one tripped on it in the middle of the night. 

Andrew and Abby’s Room- Obviously, with it being Andrew’s room, there would be a dish for those who want to pay Andrew. The room was right next to Lizzie and Emma’s room. 

Bridget’s Room- On the third floor, Bridget's room has a bed where guests can stay, as well as the charcoal rubbing from Bridget’s tombstone. 

Hosea Knowlton Room- This room is named after the District Attorney in the Lizzie Borden trial. This room has children's toys, where it is believed the ghosts of Elizabeth’s children interact with them.

THE BATHROOM

Nothing special here, just a bathroom. No ghosts here!  I’m only showing this because of this unique bathroom sign. This was a bathroom we shared with the people staying the night in the Guest Room, where Abby was murdered. Fun fact, despite Andrew being wealthy, the Borden house did not have any indoor plumbing. They had to use 2 privies in the basement and chamber pots in their bedrooms.

Investigation 

The tour started at 10 pm. Everyone in the tour headed to the kitchen of the Borden House, where we were briefed by staff on how the ghost hunt worked and we were given ghost hunting equipment. Some of the details of the equipment I researched on the internet, along with some criticism. 

Ghost Hunting Equipment 

Dowsing Rods- Historically, dowsing rods go all the way back, with the earliest documentation being during ancient times. People have used it to detect water, ores, oil, or unusual energy. It has been historically condemned by the Catholic Church and by the Lutheran Church, with Martin Luther banning it in 1518 for being associated with the occult.  The user will ask a question to the spirit. Supposedly, when the rods crossed, it is the spirit’s way of answering. Usually, the questions involve yes or no answers. 

EMF- EMF stands for Electromagnetic Field. Typically, these are used to detect radiation from power lines or appliances.  How it works is that the user walks around with this device that has five lights that light up. A lot of times, they are seen on paranormal television shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures.  

REM Pod- This device is used to detect ghost presence and also communicate. It is a cylinder box with an antenna and lights. Every time the antenna detects a sensation around it, the lights go off.  One problem that is brought up, if you were to Google it, is that walkie-talkies and cellphones can set them off, giving false alarms. 

Spirit Box- A spirit box picks up unworldly voices that the human ear cannot pick up. How it works is it picks up radio waves at a high frequency. Some criticism towards this method is that the Spirit Box, as mentioned it can pick up radio signals. There is also no clear-cut way to tell whether a sound coming through it is a radio station or potential paranormal activity. 

The First Floor

Parlor- My group was playing around with the dowsing rods with questions. I was skeptical about the rods as they kept moving around due to gravity. Part of me wondered if I was holding them right. They kept rotating around side to side. 

Dining Room- While my group has not had any unusual encounters, US Ghost Adventures has a video from the house showing people who have been there before had a door close on them. 

Living Room-  One of the ghost hunters came in and sat next to the covered-up bloody Andrew mannequin and tried gauging questions with his spirit. The EMF meter sort of did light up a little bit coming from the parlor. One of the staff members started asking to see if Andrew’s spirit was around. We never got a response in the room where he was murdered. 

Basement

An hour later, our group was sent to the basement to look for ghosts. We were told about Elizabeth hanging around one corner of the basement. Supposedly, people have reported paranormal devices going off in that corner. For almost an hour, everyone sat in chairs and asked a lot of questions to the Spirit Box to see if something was answered. 

Findings

Also, what’s interesting is if you were to talk to two different tour guides to the house, you would get different opinions on their personal experience with the paranormal. Either they experienced the unexplainable or have had no experience at all. 

There was an acknowledgement of the house's age and that it is possible  

Conclusion 

Honestly, I left with more questions than answers. Personally, I will say this if the ghost stories are not what make this place haunted, it is definitely the gruesome murder that took place in that home. 

I will leave the decision up to you whether or not this place is haunted by ghosts. 

The Lizzie Borden House also has a gift shop with interesting souvenirs. This is the Care Bears’ murderous cousin, Sir Axe-a lot!