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These high quality, full-color calendars are spiral bound and printed on heavy cardstock
Our calendars feature photographic contributions by Mary Beth Rigby and William Moniz as well as historic images donated from private collections
Layout by Ann Keane
Additionally, the birth dates of notable historical figures are observed throughout
Limited quantities of our calendars are available for $15 and make a wonderful holiday gift
Shipping is an additional $1 per calendar. Those in the Fall River area may arrange for pickup. Please call or email to reserve your copy or to arrange for pickup
Payment may be mailed to:
The friends of oak grove cemetery
96 colfax street
Fall river, MA 02720
Ph: 508-642-9636
This summer, the city of Fall River is running a series of 45 minute trolley tours scheduled to highlight significant points of interest within the city. Among the destinations along the tour is Oak Grove Cemetery. Tour guides will provide visitors with a narrative of the cemetery’s historical importance and will recognize the impact FOG’s work is having on the cemetery. Tours are free and open to the public and we encourage you to attend. Although FOG played a small role in assisting the city in preparing the grant used to fund this project, there was considerable effort spent by the city and other volunteers in applying for this competitive grant. You can find more details at the following link:
Every August 4th, traffic to the Borden plot in Oak Grove increases. Flowers, notes, stones, coins and other mementos are left at the grave site of Lizzie Borden. More rarely are the victims, the elderly couple, Andrew and Abby Borden remembered with tokens. The burial plot is easily found by following the black arrows painted on the asphalt to the left after passing under the Prospect Street arch.
William Almy , Andrew Borden’s business partner, and his family share the raised corner knoll. Head stones for Lizzie’s grandparents face out toward the road at the front of the lot.
Many individuals associated with the trial and with the Borden family, as well as friends and neighbors have found their final rest in Oak Grove.
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Easily the tallest monument in the cemetery, the lady on the apex is oft-mistaken as being Lizzie Borden by visitors from out of town. This is actually the monument of Richard Borden and is surrounded by many other kin of the Borden family. The obelisk which rivals the Washington Monument in the backgorund marks the grave of Jefferson Borden. Both of these men were captains of industry, mill barons, and wielded much influence in banking and business in the city.
Otis Skinner
Chances are slim today that the name of Otis Skinner or his daughter Cornelia would ring any bells except in the minds of students of the theatre. Otis Skinner, who enjoyed a successful career spanning fifty years, worked with the greats of the Charles Frohman stable of stars, the Immortal Madame Modjeska, and Edwin Booth, brother of the infamous John Wilkes Booth. Begining his work as a clerk, by age 18 he was begging his clergyman father for a theatre career. None other than P.T. Barnum. who knew the Skinners when they lived in Hartford, encouraged and supported Otis’ talent and potential for the stage. He is most remembered as a Shakespearian actor and for his great performance as the beggar in Kismet. He was a genial, gentle, friendly man- and much-loved by adoring fans. Cornelia was born into the business in Chicago in 1899 and debuted in her father’s acting company in 1921. The rest is history.
Cornelia inherited her father’s acting and writing genes and made her mark not only on the stage but in films, television, Broadway, and literary circles. She wrote for the New Yorker, and wrote, produced and starred in one-woman monologues based on famous and powerful women in history. Her amusing novel travelogue When We Were Young And Gay was made into a successful Broadway play. The International Movie Data Base includes Cornelia’s filmography as follows by date:
The Swimmer (1968) [Actress …. Mrs. Hammar]
The Pleasure of His Company (1961) [Writer] (play)
“This Is Your Life: Charlie Ruggles” (1959) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“What’s My Line?: (1959-03-29)” (1959) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself - Mystery Guest]
“What’s It For: (1957-10-12)” (1957) TV Episode [Self]
“The Alcoa Hour: Merry Christmas, Mr. Baxter (#2.5)” (1956) TV Episode [Actress …. Susan Baxter]
Max Liebman Presents: Dearest Enemy (1955) (TV) [Actress …. Mrs. Murray]
The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) [Actress …. Mrs. Thaw]
“Person to Person: (#2.40)” (1955) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#7.8)” (1953) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#5.32)” (1952) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“General Electric Guest House: (1951-07-01)” (1951) TV Episode [Actress]
“Toast of the Town: (#4.14)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“Toast of the Town: (#4.7)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“This Is Show Business: (1950-04-30)” (1950) TV Episode [Actress …. Herself]
“The Girls” (1950) TV Series [Writer] (book “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay”)
… aka Young and Gay (original title (first two episodes title))
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay (1944) [Writer] (book)
The Uninvited (1944) [Actress …. Miss Holloway]
Stage Door Canteen (1943) [Actress …. Herself]
Kismet (1920) [Actress …. Miskah]
Cornelia married Manhattan stockbroker Alden Sanford Blodget- many thought an unlikely choice, and together they had one son. Cornelia Otis Skinner died in New York on July 9, 1979 and was buried beside her husband who had predeceased her by fifteen years. The mystery seems to be why Oak Grove- and why Fall River? R.I.P. – an amazing lady-and amazing career. Her grave is easily located on the hill just over the top of the Gothic-style mausoleum.
“Women keep a special corner of their hearts for sins they have never committed.”
“Woman’s virtue is man’s greatest invention.” Cornelia Otis Skinner
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