Owners of Lizzie Borden home ask for accessibility exemption

FALL RIVER, Mass. — The owners of the home that once belonged to Lizzie Borden are asking the state for an exemption to disability laws.

The Fall River home is where Borden and her sister, Emma, moved after she was acquitted of charges in the killing of her father and stepmother in 1892.

The new owner of the home -- named Maplecroft by Borden -- has invested thousands into bringing the house up to code so they can open it for tours.

The City of Fall River now says they have to add a wheelchair lift that would attach to a second-floor bathroom. That's something the owner says would ruin the room's history.

"All the fixtures in there are original to the house. They're original to Lizzy and Emma," the homeowner's son, Ryan Woods. "The tile is original as well, so all of this would have to be destroyed."

Ryan's father, Donald Woods, and Donald's partner Lee-ann Wilber purchased the property in February with every intention to make it into a bed and breakfast.

The owner says the first floor is completely accessible. He's already added a ramp outside and says visitors who use wheelchairs can navigate the first floor.

Cox Media Group