Five Questions With: Robert Rutley

Robert Rutley, a member of the Taylor & Associates team with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty, has a listing with ties to a notorious 19th-century murder. Lizzie Borden was accused in the 1892 ax killings of her father and stepmother, then acquitted following a sensational trial. She purchased the Victorian house at 306 French St. in Fall River with her older sister, and lived there until she died in 1927.

Now listed for sale at $849,900, the house called the Maplecroft Mansion has been meticulously renovated and restored to its original state. Some of the original elements include the wallpaper in the dining room, which was selected by Lizzie Borden, according to Rutley. He spoke to the Providence Business News about this unusual listing.

COURTESY MOTT & CHACE SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
COURTESY MOTT & CHACE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

PBN: From a marketing standpoint, is there any negative to having Lizzie Borden as a previous owner?

RUTLEY: As far as it having a negative impact, I don’t see that happening. I think the history of Lizzie Borden makes the property a little more intriguing. In New England, we have this huge housing stock of antique homes and historical figures; everyone from Paul Revere to minor characters have inhabited many of our homes. While Lizzie Borden does grab the attention of some unsolved murder enthusiasts, we see that history of Lizzie Borden as a valuable commodity instead.

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PBN: What parts of the home date to her ownership?

RUTLEY: For the most part, the house is set up the exact same way it was. There were some changes, a half-bath was added underneath a stairwell. But for the most part, it’s the same setup as when Lizzie and Emma lived there. There have been years of vinyl siding, carpet and linoleum. They did two things. They hid all this beauty underneath but they also protected it, thankfully. The woman who was able to preserve Maplecroft was able to pull this off and preserve it to its Victorian grandeur.

PBN: Describe the neighborhood for people who are unfamiliar with Fall River.

RUTLEY: The Highlands neighborhood is a historic district in Fall River. That’s where many of the other Victorians and other antique properties are located. It was the well-to-do neighborhood at the turn of the century. There is a preservation movement in Fall River, especially in the Highlands.

PBN: This property has a variance in place to operate as a bed-and-breakfast as well as a home. Have you had many inquiries about that?

RUTLEY: It’s another layer of value added to the property. We haven’t had any specific inquiries about the bed-and-breakfast. But it does add value to the right buyer.

PBN: Did you know much about Lizzie Borden before you had this listing, and did you have to come up to speed on her? And what do you think the public’s fascination is with her?

RUTLEY: Starting out, and speaking with the owner, I was of the average American’s knowledge of Lizzie Borden. I came up to speed pretty quickly. I think the public has always been riveted by a good mystery. I can only imagine the interest in the Borden murders, at the turn of the century, was probably their version of our O.J. Simpson case and trial.

Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com or follow on Twitter at MaryF_MacDonald.