New Bedford Whaling Museum

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18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740 United States Get Directions
(508) 997-0046
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Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast at New Bedford Whaling Museum

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

The temporary exhibition Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast is hosted in the San Francisco galleries, adjoining the permanent gallery devoted to Cape Verdean culture that opened in 2011. It features personal stories, oral histories, music, photographs, and belongings from individuals and community organizations to tell the story of the Cape Verdean diaspora across the region, spanning the South Coast, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod.

Claridade: Cape Verdean Identity in Contemporary Art at New Bedford Whaling Museum

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

In 2025, communities across the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence from Portugal. New Bedford and the greater South Coast area of New England are home to one of the largest and longest-standing Cape Verdean communities outside of Cabo Verde. In marking this occasion, the New Bedford Whaling Museum presents the Contemporary Cape Verdean 2025 project, which explores the Cape Verdean American and Cape Verdean experience through the lens of contemporary art and community storytelling. The exhibition Claridade: Cape Verdean Identity in Contemporary Art, hosted in the Wattles Family Gallery, weaves together work by contemporary Cape Verdean and Cape Verdean American visual artists and filmmakers. The title of the exhibition is inspired from the Cape Verdean literary review Claridade that ran intermittently from 1936 to 1960. Portuguese for “clarity” or “light,” the publication served as a platform for discussion and analysis around Cape Verdean identity. Working as a space for similar reflections and consideration, the exhibition will include sculpture, fiber arts, mixed media works on paper, paintings, poetry, and video installation and include artists who were born on Cape Verde, those who emigrated to the United States, and those born in the United States and the […]

Summer Programs at the New Bedford Whaling Museum

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

he New Bedford Whaling Museum has announced its calendar of summer programming filled with interactive experiences and interesting activities for the entire family. From Whale Wednesdays and special 3D movie screenings, to exhibit-inspired crafts, storytimes, and squid dissections, there’s something exciting happening almost every day. Kid’s Corner Storytime (Every Other Monday, 10:00–10:45 a.m.) Explore oceans, art, and history with stories and activities from our new Kid’s Corner! July 21, August 4 & 18 Lagoda Days (Every Other Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) Climb aboard the Lagoda, the Museum’s half-scale whaling ship, to explore above and below deck, and then stop by the craft station July 29; August 12, 26 Whale Wednesdays (Every Wednesday) 9:30 AM – Start the day with a special 3D screening of Blue Whales: Giants of the Oceans. (movie admission required) 10:30 AM–2:30 PM – Climb inside the full-size inflatable whale and create whale-related crafts. Squid Dissections (Every Other Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) Curious about marine biology, sea creatures, or science in general? Participate in a squid dissection! Pre-registration required, $7 per person. July 17 & 31; August 14 & 28 Museum Makers (Every Other Friday & Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) Be inspired by stories from the Museum […]

Summer Screenings – 3D Theater Experience at the Whaling Museum

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

Join us this summer for throwback screenings of your favorite 3D Movies! Our schedule changes weekly, so check out the event listing to see which one we are screening. All screenings are at 9:30 am. 🔹 Blue Whales: Return of the Giants - Showing Wednesdays July 30, August 13, 20, 27, and Saturday 8/30 Blue Whales are the largest animal that has ever lived, bigger than dinosaurs. They grow longer than a jetliner and their tongue weighs as much as an elephant. The Giant Screen is the only place where you can see them life-size! Join an adventure of a lifetime to discover a long-lost Blue Whale pod in a remote corner of the ocean, where no scientists or film crews have explored before. What the expedition reveals will help inspire new marine protected areas. 🔹 Antarctica: On the Edge - Showing Saturday August 2 It is a land of mystery and yet what happens here affects every single one of us. With never-before seen footage, our story brings audiences to the farthest reaches of this wild and majestic continent. It is the coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth with the roughest oceans and yet, weird and wonderful creatures […]

AHA! Night at the Whaling Museum: Summer in the Seaport

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

3D Film Screening: Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker Special Free Screening Time: 6:00 PM Location: Cook Memorial Theater Run Time: 20 minutes Description: Between a jagged cliff face and a roaring ocean lives a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Join us for an immersive ocean adventure following a young pup as she learns to survive in a beautiful but dangerous world. This visually stunning documentary reveals the daily challenges these animals face and the scientists working to protect them. Whiskers & Waves: Sketching the Seaside Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Location: Jacobs Family Gallery, under the whale bones Admission: Free | All ages | Drop-in Description: Inspired by Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker and New Bedford’s rich maritime heritage, this self-guided sketching activity invites guests to celebrate coastal life through art. Materials will be provided for visitors to create drawings of seaport wildlife, imagined sea creatures, or harbor scenes. Prompt ideas include: Draw a sea lion diving through summer waves Imagine the New Bedford harbor from a sea lion’s point of view Sketch a marine rescue scene or ocean hero Design your own sea creature adapted to the seaport Finished drawings can be displayed on our […]

Free

KabuJazz: Celebrating Cape Verdean Independence Through Music

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

Join us for a special First Friday event at the New Bedford Whaling Museum as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence. This evening of culture and music features a live performance by the acclaimed KabuJazz Ensemble, led by the dynamic Candida Rose Baptista with musical direction by J. L. Santos Spencer. The KabuJazz Ensemble brings a unique blend of Cabo Verdean and American musical traditions—primarily jazz—showcasing the beauty and diversity of Cape Verdean culture. Candida Rose’s signature “KabuJazz” style combines soulful vocals, rich instrumentation, and rhythms that reflect the heritage and spirit of Cabo Verde. The evening complements the Museum’s special exhibition, Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast, which explores the Cape Verdean experience in New England through contemporary art, personal stories, photographs, and oral histories. This powerful exhibition celebrates the history, culture, and resilience of Cape Verdean Americans while highlighting their vital contributions to the region. Program Schedule: 5:00 PM: Doors Open – Explore Morabeza: Cape Verdean Community in the South Coast in the San Francisco galleries and connect with the Cape Verdean cultural legacy in New Bedford. 6:00 PM: Live Music – The KabuJazz Ensemble takes the stage to transport you on a […]

$20

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Photo Credit: Josh Souza