At the heart of the historic City of New Bedford you’ll find the New Bedford Whaling Museum, bordered by cobblestone streets, and just steps from the working waterfront.
The Whaling Museum overlooks the working waterfront and is located in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.This outstanding cultural gem tells the story of human interaction with whales through time and explores the history of the “City that lit the world.” The City has historic and contemporary ties to countries across the globe, due in large measure to 18th and 19th whaling. Although whaling has been illegal in this country since 1972, with the exception of Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling, an understanding of the industry, whale ecology and modern conservation efforts provides an authentic connection with the past and present.
At 89 ft, the Lagoda is the world’s largest ship model. Climb on board!A cornerstone of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Whaling Museum is the most comprehensive museum of its kind in the world. Twenty-three galleries feature five whale skeletons (none were hunted – they were struck by ships or died of natural causes); the world’s largest ship model – a half-scale version of the whaling ship Lagoda; outstanding collections of fine and decorative art, artifacts and scrimshaw; and the William M. Wood Casa Dos Botes Discovery Center where families explore and learn together.
Families can learn and explore together in the Casa dos Botes Discovery CenterCurrent exhibitions include Power, Performance and Speed in 20th Century Yacht Design: C. Raymond Hunt and W. Starling Burgess through May 2017, and Famine, Friends and Fenians, which explores New Bedford’s curious ties to Irish and Irish American history and runs through September 2017. In the fall, watch for Whales Today. Visitors can also view conservation work now in progress on the Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World – at 1,275 feet long, it is the longest painting in America.
Beginning in spring 2017, your admission ticket includes access to the historic Mariners’ Home and Seamen’s Bethel, made famous in Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick. If you’re in the area in January, check out the Museum’s annual 25-hour Moby-Dick Marathon.
Educators and curators offer guided tours of the Museum’s 23 galleries.Most galleries offer hands-on interactives and some have digitally enhanced experiences, including augmented reality in the Bourne Building, which houses the . Guided tours are offered and group rates are available. Check the Museum’s website for details.Most galleries offer hands-on interactives and some have digitally enhanced experiences, including augmented reality in the Bourne Building, which houses the Lagoda. Guided tours are offered and group rates are available. Check the Museum’s website for details.
The Museum is surrounded by cultural attractions and amenities, including great restaurants. Scallops are a specialty of the region and Portuguese cuisine features prominently on many menus. (The whaling industry brought many generations of people to New Bedford from the Azores.)
Allow two to three hours for a good visit.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA
Information: (508) 997-0046
Group bookings: (508) 717-6885 or email grouptours@whalingmuseum.org
HOURS:
January through March
Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Select Galleries open until 8 pm every second Thursday of the month*
April through December
Daily 9 am – 5 pm
Select Galleries open until 8 pm every second Thursday of the month*
Open holiday Mondays, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day