New Bedford Whaling Museum

  1. Events
  2. Venues
  3. New Bedford Whaling Museum
Address
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740 United States Get Directions
Phone (508) 997-0046
Events at this venue
Today

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 […]

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

Local History Guild at the New Bedford Whaling Museum: Shipwrecks

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

Local History Guild is the NBWM’s quarterly Zoom program, an informal discussion about art, history, science and culture related to the museum’s mission, collection, and the surrounding region. According to Alan Jamieson’s book Out of the Depths: A History of Shipwrecks, UNESCO estimates there are more than 3 million shipwreck sites around the world. In every seafaring culture, shipwrecks have long captured the imagination. This September, the New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts a discussion about shipwrecks on our own shores and beyond. Amid the height of hurricane season, this program will bring the history of shipwrecks to the surface—in our local waters of Buzzard’s Bay, as well as more generally in the Atlantic and elsewhere. Speakers will address how shipwrecks can be understood from different perspectives of art, history, and science, and what new research has revealed.

Free
Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

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

Join the Moby-Dick Book Club, a virtual three-part series exploring Herman Melville’s iconic American novel. Whether you're reading it for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, all are welcome to take part in engaging, thought-provoking conversations led by some of the world’s leading Melville scholars. Marina Wells, Assistant Curator of History & Culture, will moderate the series, which meets virtually on the third Tuesday of the month in September, October, and November 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. These sessions will prepare readers for the 30th Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, taking place on January 3, 2026. Each session centers on a guiding theme and includes a suggested reading schedule—but participants are encouraged to read at their own pace and join when they can. Bring your thoughts, questions, and interpretations to share with fellow readers and Melville experts alike. Virtual Session Schedule: Tuesday, September 16, at 5:30pm Extracts to Chapter 47 Theme: Making Meaning in Moby-Dick Featured Guests: Professors Tony McGowan & Tim Marr Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30pm Chapter 48 to Chapter 95 Theme: Race, Nation, and Representation Featured Guests: Professors Bob Wallace & Wyn Kelley Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30pm Chapter 96 […]

New Bedford Whaling Museum Premieres CETACEAN (The Whale)

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

The New Bedford Whaling Museum invites guests to experience CETACEAN (The Whale), a haunting and immersive audiovisual performance created by multidisciplinary artist and storyteller Deke Weaver. This event is part of The Unreliable Bestiary, a lifelong performance project with one piece for each letter of the alphabet, each focused on an endangered species or habitat. CETACEAN serves as the sixth installment, shining a spotlight on the cultural and ecological significance of whales. This condensed version of the acclaimed 2023 production blends original video, lo-fi theatrical effects, sound design, movement, and storytelling to create a layered meditation on whales, oceans, and the human condition in the age of climate change. Described as a “mesmerizing, operatic memorial” and a “waking dream,” the performance offers a powerful interdisciplinary experience in the historic setting of the Museum’s Harbor View Gallery. Created and performed by Deke Weaver (writer, performer, producer), the piece also features Jennifer Allen as director, choreographer, and performer, and Latrelle Bright as performer. The production includes contributions from original collaborators Susan Becker (costumes), John Boesche (video), James Lo (sound), and Jayne Wenger (dramaturgy), bringing together a visionary team to deliver this emotionally resonant and thought-provoking work. This limited engagement aligns with the […]

$20

Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

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

Join the Moby-Dick Book Club, a virtual three-part series exploring Herman Melville’s iconic American novel. Whether you're reading it for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, all are welcome to take part in engaging, thought-provoking conversations led by some of the world’s leading Melville scholars. Marina Wells, Assistant Curator of History & Culture, will moderate the series, which meets virtually on the third Tuesday of the month in September, October, and November 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. These sessions will prepare readers for the 30th Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, taking place on January 3, 2026. Each session centers on a guiding theme and includes a suggested reading schedule—but participants are encouraged to read at their own pace and join when they can. Bring your thoughts, questions, and interpretations to share with fellow readers and Melville experts alike. Virtual Session Schedule: Tuesday, September 16, at 5:30pm Extracts to Chapter 47 Theme: Making Meaning in Moby-Dick Featured Guests: Professors Tony McGowan & Tim Marr Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30pm Chapter 48 to Chapter 95 Theme: Race, Nation, and Representation Featured Guests: Professors Bob Wallace & Wyn Kelley Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30pm Chapter 96 […]

Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

Moby-Dick Virtual Book Club

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

Join the Moby-Dick Book Club, a virtual three-part series exploring Herman Melville’s iconic American novel. Whether you're reading it for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, all are welcome to take part in engaging, thought-provoking conversations led by some of the world’s leading Melville scholars. Marina Wells, Assistant Curator of History & Culture, will moderate the series, which meets virtually on the third Tuesday of the month in September, October, and November 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. These sessions will prepare readers for the 30th Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, taking place on January 3, 2026. Each session centers on a guiding theme and includes a suggested reading schedule—but participants are encouraged to read at their own pace and join when they can. Bring your thoughts, questions, and interpretations to share with fellow readers and Melville experts alike. Virtual Session Schedule: Tuesday, September 16, at 5:30pm Extracts to Chapter 47 Theme: Making Meaning in Moby-Dick Featured Guests: Professors Tony McGowan & Tim Marr Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30pm Chapter 48 to Chapter 95 Theme: Race, Nation, and Representation Featured Guests: Professors Bob Wallace & Wyn Kelley Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30pm Chapter 96 […]

Be the First to Know What’s Happening

Get monthly updates on art walks, festivals, food pop-ups, and more.

Photo Credit: Josh Souza