ASHLAND — Nearly everyone has heard the children’s sing-song rhyme: “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.”
That rhyme has given Lizzie Borden name recognition from the 1890s until today.
However, Lizzie, the daughter in a well-to-do family, was acquitted of the August 1892 murders in a sensational trial. There was not sufficient evidence to convict her in spite of the bloodiness of the double murders committed in the daylight of a Sunday morning. No one else was ever charged with the crime, which remains unsolved after more than a century of research and speculation.
So, did she do it? Lizzie Borden — her life, the crime, and the trial — will be the subject of Ashland Chautauqua’s first virtual book discussion, which will be on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
Participation is free, but advance registration is required. The discussion will be led by Chautauqua scholar Leslie Goddard, who will portray Lizzie Borden in the July 2022 Ashland Chautauqua event.
The book selected for discussion is The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden &The Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller. Reading the book is encouraged but not necessary to join in the session.
Goddard has been doing historical portrayals for sixteen years. She is the author of two books on Chicago history and works full-time as an historical interpreter and public speaker. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in theater as well as a Ph.D. in history.
The Borden book discussion opens a series of five virtual book discussions based on the theme, “The Famous and Infamous,” Ashland Chautauqua’s theme for the July 12-16, 2022 summer event. Other characters who will be portrayed in the first-person performances at Brookside Park are Malcolm X portrayed by Charles Pace, Mary Surratt portrayed by Dianne Moran, Marie Curie portrayed by Susan Marie Frontczak, and Annie Oakley portrayed by Elsa Wolff.
There will be a virtual book discussion based on each character. All the dates and book titles appear on the website: https://www.ashlandchautauqua.org.
Participants must register for the book talks through Eventbrite by visiting the Eventbrite page at https://bit.ly/3uCeHNz. Individuals can register for just one event at a time or for the whole series at once.
Ashland Chautauqua’s virtual book discussion series is supported through the generosity of the Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Humanities, Explore Ashland, Peace Lutheran Church, and WebDev Works, LLC. Donations to Ashland Chautauqua are always welcome and can be made online or by check. Full information is available on our website (ashlandchautauqua.org/support.php).
