New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Address
33 William Street
New Bedford, 02740 United States Get Directions

Events at this venue

Today

  • Walking tour: Women in Whale Ships

    Walking tour: Women in Whale Ships
    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street, New Bedford, United States

    Set sail on a journey through time with volunteer Sharon as she uncovers the untold stories of women aboard whaling voyages. Discover the resilience, courage, and hidden histories of those who braved the high seas in an era dominated by men. Their voices, often lost to the tides, come alive in this immersive exploration of life at sea. Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into the past and see history from a fresh perspective! Tours are subject to change

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free

  • Walking Tour: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville, two literary giants!

    Walking Tour: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville, two literary giants!
    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street, New Bedford, United States

    Join Ranger Rufai for an immersive journey through New Bedford, where Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville set foot in 1841—each leaving behind a legacy shaped by this bustling port town. From the wharves that welcomed Melville’s maritime imagination to the streets that gave Douglass his first taste of true freedom, New Bedford was more than just a stop along their journeys—it was a place of transformation. Douglass, newly liberated from bondage, wrote, “I was now living in a new world. I was wide awake to its advantages.” His time in New Bedford ignited his fight for justice and equality, cementing his role as one of America’s most powerful voices for freedom. Melville, inspired by the whaling industry’s grandeur, painted a vivid portrait of the town in Moby-Dick, noting, “Nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…All these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.” Follow their footsteps. Hear their words. See New Bedford through their eyes. History isn’t just read—it’s lived. Experience the city that shaped great minds and great movements.

  • Walking Tour: Blubber and Bones

    Walking Tour: Blubber and Bones
    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street, New Bedford, United States

    Join Ranger Erin for an illuminating journey into the industry that transformed New Bedford into a global powerhouse—the city that fueled economies, powered homes, and shaped history. For decades, New Bedford was the epicenter of the whaling industry, producing the most sought-after commodity of its time: whale oil. This liquid gold illuminated streets, fueled machinery, and kept lamps burning in homes across the world. As whalers braved treacherous oceans, they returned with barrels of oil that made New Bedford the wealthiest city per capita in the United States. But beyond industry and commerce, this city became a beacon for opportunity. The whaling economy attracted people from all backgrounds—sailors, merchants, abolitionists, and refugees—each finding their place in a town driven by ambition and resilience. Step into history. Witness the legacy. See how New Bedford lit the world—and shaped the future.

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free

  • Whaling Walking Tour: A New Life In New Bedford

    Whaling Walking Tour: A New Life In New Bedford
    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street, New Bedford, United States

    Join Ranger Erin as she uncovers the fascinating stories of the many people who arrived in New Bedford during the height of the whaling industry—each with their own hopes, struggles, and dreams. From daring captains and seasoned sailors to freedom seekers escaping bondage, New Bedford became a crossroads of cultures, ambitions, and untold possibilities. Some came in search of fortune, chasing the wealth that whaling promised. Others arrived seeking refuge, carving out new lives in a place that embraced them when the world turned its back. Through their voices, we discover a town built on resilience, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of a better life. Their legacy still shapes the city today, reminding us that history isn’t just about events—it’s about people. Walk in their footsteps. Hear their stories. See New Bedford through the eyes of those who built it. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an experience that brings the past to life!

    Free

  • Underground Railroad Walking Tour

    Underground Railroad Walking Tour
    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street, New Bedford, United States

    Join Park Ranger Rufai for an immersive Underground Railroad Walking Tour, where you’ll uncover the hidden stories of those who defied oppression and carved a new future for themselves. The Underground Railroad—a courageous network of people from all walks of life—was a lifeline for enslaved individuals seeking liberty. Guided by resilience and hope, they journeyed to safe havens from Philadelphia to Canada, breaking the chains of bondage and reclaiming their right to determine their own lives. New Bedford stood as a beacon of promise, a city where the whaling industry provided refuge and opportunity for formerly enslaved people. Here, they built families, businesses, and futures free from the grip of enslavers. Their fight for justice echoes through time, influencing movements that continue to challenge racial injustice today. Walk their footsteps. Hear their stories. Feel their struggle and triumph. Be part of a living history experience that connects past and present in a powerful way.

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free

  • Go Fish April Vacation Program

    Go Fish April Vacation Program
    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA, United States +1 more

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NPS) are partnering to offer FREE vacation programming for students and their families during the April Vacation Week, Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, from 10:00am until 4:00pm. The Go Fish April Vacation Week Program is designed to teach local youth about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry. The Program will be offered as a series of drop-in activities hosted at both FHC and NPS in downtown New Bedford and will feature daily performances and hands-on activities, including storytelling, music, science demonstrations, arts and crafts, and opportunities to meet local fishermen. The program is available for students and their families. The Program is overseen by a certified public-school teacher, a NPS park ranger, and two student interns. Prior registration is NOT required! Activities will take place at: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740) New Bedford Whaling Natl. Hist. Park (33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740)

    Free