Fall River Tourist Attractions
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Fall River, on the edge of the Taunton River in Bristol County, was a major textile-producing center in the 19th and early 20th century. The clothing industry is still an economic factor today and many people come here to shop in its outlet stores. Fall River was once an important port, shipping goods and passengers to New York, Boston, Providence and Newport. It maintains its nautical history via Battleship Cove, the finally resting place for a variety of military ships and war craft.
Fall River Historical Society
Located in a Greek-Revival style mansion, the Fall River Historical Society museum houses a collection of historical artifacts dating back to Fall River's days as an important textile manufacturing center. Visitors can see exhibits on the Fall River steamship line, a large collection of works by the Fall River School artists and costume displays with vintage clothing. The society also manages the renowned Borden Collection, material relating to the trial of the infamous Fall River resident Lizzie A. Borden. The collection includes the original papers of Hosea Morrill Knowlton, the head of prosecution representing the Commonwealth.
Marine Museum At Fall River
The Marine Museum At Fall River houses a diverse collection of marine artifacts and memorabilia including what the museum claims is one of the largest Titanic exhibitions in the world. The highlight being a 28 foot model of the famous luxury liner that sank of April 14th, 1912. The complete museum collection includes more than 150 scale models, 30,000 photographs, videos, uniforms, audio recordings and more. A special room houses models of the Fall River Line, a fleet of steamships that carried wealthy passengers from New York and Boston to summer homes in Newport. The museum also sponsors a regular program of special events.
Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove is an outdoor naval museum established in 1965 when the USS Massachusetts was moored at the Fall River pier to recognize the 13, 000 Massachusetts men and women who died in WWII. Since then several other ships have joined the Massachusetts including PT torpedo boats 796 and 617, the USS Lionfish, a WWII submarine and the USS Destroyer Joseph P Kennedy, which served in Korea, Vietnam and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Lizzie Borden Museum
The place where Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her parents with an axe has been made into bed and breakfast and museum. On August 4, 1892 someone hacked to pieces Andrew J. Borden and his second wife Abby. Borden's youngest daughter Lizzie was arrested and tried for the crime but she was acquitted. This museum contains memorabilia from Fall River and from the Borden Family. The house has been preserved to appear as it did at the time of the murders.
Freetown Historical Society Museum, Assonet, Massachusetts
The Freetown Historical Society Museum displays artifacts related to the history of the area. The collection includes photos, antique furniture, clothing, tools, and a steam engine used for powering textile machines at the former Monument Manufacturing Company. There are also exhibits on the Revolutionary, Civil, and World Wars.
Old Colony & Fall River Museum
Located in old boxcars, the Old Colony & Fall River Museum displays equipment once used on the Fall River Railroad. Visitors can see a rail switch, a self-propelled diesel coach, a caboose, a theater car and more.
Saint Anne's Church and Shrine
Saint Anne's Parish was founded in 1869 and the lower church was built in 1894. French Canadian emigrants built the upper church in 1906. The center of the Shrine is home to the statue of Saint Anne.
