Celebrating Four Years of Shakespeare in the Park at the FRHS
The Capulets and the Montagues have feuded for years. So why should their children behave any differently? But what happens when Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall in love? And what happens when Mercutio, friends with a Montague, and Tybalt, cousin to a Capulet, quarrel? There’s blood on the hands of teenagers and secrets hidden from their parents.
See what happens to the famous star-crossed young lovers, their friends, and their stubborn parents as Boston-based Striving Artists Theatre Company (SAC) presents Romeo and Juliet at the FRHS later this month. Set in the 1990s, an era of teenage rebellion, the production exemplifies SAC's creative and energetic approach to Shakespeare.
This marks the fourth summer that the SAC has performed one of Shakespeare’s most popular works on our grounds as part of its “Shakespeare in the Park” program. The FRHS is one of the three Massachusetts locations chosen for the program, which is supported in part by grants from the Fall River, Beverly, and Easton Cultural Councils, local agencies that are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Romeo and Juliet will be presented at 4:00 p.m. on July 18 and July 19. Admission is free. So spread out a blanket, open your picnic basket, and join us to enjoy this innovative production.
Music To Your Ears: Saturday Evening Serenades Start in August
Back by popular demand, our third annual Saturday Evening Serenades concert series begins on August 15, 2015. Once again, the FRHS grounds will be the setting for four fantastic musical performances, presented free of charge in partnership with Greater Fall River RE-CREATION.
All four 2015 concerts feature musicians who performed to rave reviews in previous Serenades series, and there's music for every taste. First up is big band swing with The Nightlife Orchestra, a 13-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Kimberly McHale. Next, song stylist Monica Ambroziak performs an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, and pop. Singer/guitarist Gary Farias will play music ranging from 40s and country to light classics and original compositions, and The Morons Band will close out the series with a classic soft rock concert.
Above, clockwise from upper left: The Nightlife Orchestra; Gary Farias: The Morons; Monica Ambroziak.
If you've never "serenaded" with us, make this the year you do! Wine, beer, cocktails, and food will be available for purchase, so invite your family and friends and plan to make a night of it ... all you need is a blanket or lawn chair.
An Historic Acquisition: The Lindsey Letters
Mission accomplished! Thanks to the generosity of our members and the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Trust, Fall River Historical Society has purchased the Lindsey letters, an extremely rare collection of six letters that Lizzie Borden wrote to her friend Mrs. William Lindsey, Jr. The FRHS maintains the world’s largest collection of artifacts pertaining to Lizzie Borden’s life and trial, and the Lindsey letters, with their poignant content, enhance our already extensive holdings.
Space does not allow us to individually acknowledge the many members whose donations funded this historic acquisition, but please know how much we appreciate your support. The Lindsey letters will be exhibited to the public for the first time ever at the FRHS on August 4, 2015, the anniversary of the Borden murders. Please see the August issue of Here & Now for more information.
5,000+ Facebook Likes!
We are excited to announce that on June 22 the FRHS reached the significant milestone of 5,000 Facebook likes – 5,000, and counting! This is a remarkable achievement, considering that last year at this time we had only about 2,000 likes. So in just one short year, 3,000 additional people have chosen to connect with us through Facebook.
We’ve worked hard to get the word out that the FRHS is the go-to place for information about the rich history of the city of Fall River, for unique and memorable cultural events, and, of course, for everything pertaining to the life and trial of Lizzie Borden. The huge surge in our likes tells us that the message has been heard. Thanks to everyone for your interest in us and your support!
A Look Back at June
The FRHS hosted two special events last month. On Sunday, June 14, our officers, directors, and staff gathered at Venus de Milo restaurant to pay tribute to our dedicated volunteers at our annual Volunteer Brunch. This event -- which we've been told is the only one of its type in the area -- is held to express our appreciation to this group of 79 men and women so essential to our success. Thank you, one and all, for your hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm!
FRHS volunteers enjoyed a Sunday morning brunch at Venus de Milo on June 14.
That commitment was evident the following Saturday, when 25 volunteers began assembling at the FRHS at 6:00 a.m. to set up and staff our first rummage sale. An enormous amount of merchandise donated by our members had previously been sorted and priced; the challenge was to quickly put it all in place by category and make it look appealing.
Shoppers found bargains galore at the first FRHS rummage sale.
But when the sale began at 8:00 a.m., customers found over two dozen tables on the grounds and in Easton Tea Room overflowing with all sorts of “treasures,” plus donated baked goods. Business was brisk throughout the five hours of the sale and feedback was extremely positive. The result: another very successful fundraiser for the Society. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it possible.
The Fall River Historical Society (FRHS), the oldest cultural institution in Fall River, Massachusetts, is housed in a French Second Empire mansion that was once an Underground Railroad station. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the structure features a magnificent period interior, while our beautiful grounds with Victorian gardens provide a lush and memorable venue for functions such as weddings and cocktail parties.
Our exhibits include the largest existing collection of artifacts pertaining to the Borden murder mystery case – among them the alleged murder weapon and original crime scene photos – and the FRHS curators are among the top Lizzie Borden experts in the world. Our distinctions also include a first-rate Museum Shop & Boutique. our annual Holiday Open House, The Charlton Library of Fall River History, and The Easton Tea Room, a popular spot for parties, showers, meetings, and children’s events.
Here & Now is designed and produced by Jayne Darcy, FRHS Director and Chair, Marketing Committee