 Welcome
to the Fall River Historical Society Website
Founded in 1921, the Fall River Historical Society's mission is
to preserve and protect all manner of artifacts relating to the
rich and varied history of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts.
The
Historical Society is housed in a granite mansion, built in 1843
in the Greek Revival style for Andrew Robeson, Jr., a prominent
businessman. A one-time station on the Underground Railroad, the
house was to change hands several times over the next quarter century.
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Robert
Knight Remington
Click on the photos to enlarge |
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| Harriet
Thatcher Remington |
In 1870, the
building was purchased by Robert Knight Remington, a wealthy Fall
River industrialist, who had the entire structure dismantled and
moved three-quarters of a mile north to its present location on
Rock Street. Enlarged and redesigned in the then-fashionable French
Second Empire style, the structure was to serve as home to the Remington
family for the next eight years. Due to the prominence of Mrs. Remington's
social position and the family's elegant style of living, the residence
quickly became the scene of a number of glittering social affairs.
Of particular note was the October 10, 1877, wedding reception for
the Remington's daughter, Harriet, and George Henry Hills, to which
500 privileged guests were invited, chosen from the over 2000 invited
to the ceremony. In order to accommodate their guests, the family
had erected a 20-foot by 50-foot pavilion off the circular dining
room, only to have it dismantled the following day. Covered extensively
by the press, it was noted that "the array of beautiful dresses
was probably never equaled in this city" and that "the
display of diamonds was extensive."
Financial
reverses in the following year caused Remington to sell the house
to David Anthony Brayton, Sr.,
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| David
A. Brayton, Jr and guests |
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| Miss
Elizabeth Hitchcock Brayton |
one of Fall River's most prominent textile magnates and a member
of the city's wealthiest family. The mansion was to serve as home
to the Braytons for the next fifty-seven years. Following the death
of Miss Elizabeth Hitchcock Brayton in 1935, the home was inherited
by her nephew, David, who in turn donated the structure to the Fall
River Historical Society. The house is one of the few surviving
examples extant in Fall River, Massachusetts, of mansions built
by the affluent mill owners during the period of the city's greatest
prosperity.
In addition
to the Remington-Brayton residence, the Historical Society also
maintains the Alexander Dorrance Easton house, constructed in 1870.
Situated on property adjacent to the museum building, the structure
was renamed the Florence Cook Brigham Annex in honor of the Society's
beloved late curator.
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