New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (NBWNHP) is a United States National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS). The park commemorates the heritage of the world's preeminent whaling port during the nineteenth century.To visit New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park on your trip to New Bedford, use our New Bedford route website.
Established in 1996, the park encompasses 34 acres (fourteen hectares) dispersed over thirteen city blocks. It includes a visitor center, the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Seamen's Bethel, the schooner Ernestina, and the Rotch–Jones–Duff House and Garden Museum.
As a National Park, the NBWNHP is rather unusual in that the only properties owned by the NPS are the Visitor Center and the Corson Maritime Learning Center. Rather, the park is a historic district administered under a partnership between the NPS, the City of New Bedford and private building owners to preserve the historic landscapes, structures, and collections and promote research and educational programming associated with the history of whaling. The enabling legislation also established a formal affiliation with the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, to commemorate the more than 2,000 whaling voyages from New Bedford to the Western Arctic. The city promotes visitation to the park through advertising that calls it "New England's real seaport", as opposed to Connecticut's Mystic Seaport Museum which is a collection of historic buildings and vessels moved from various other locations throughout the region.
Although the famed Whaleman Memorial (commonly called the "Whaleman's Statue") is not within the park's boundaries, it is located only two blocks beyond its western boundary at the corner of William and Pleasant Streets in front of the New Bedford Public Library.
Source
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park reviews
-
You will love this place, but moreover you will love the tours outside on the streets with the rangers. The murals on the buildings are awesome and educational and even more so when they are...
You will love this place, but moreover you will love the tours outside on the streets with the rangers. The murals on the buildings are awesome and educational and even more so when they are... more »
-
Great experience with numerous park and affiliated sites to visit. The visitor center has several unique artifacts from whaling ships, sailors, and the business. The park video is a good & engaging...
Great experience with numerous park and affiliated sites to visit. The visitor center has several unique artifacts from whaling ships, sailors, and the business. The park video is a good & engaging... more »
-
It was exciting. We love New Bedford for it's historical downtown to it's restaurants and beautiful old homes. My daughter lives there with her children and husband. It's a family vacation spot. 🙂
-
This museum has a lot to offer for its viewers. It's gallery hosts a large collection of whaling related information and artwork. There are life sized whale models, as well as a miniature whaling boat. One of the museum hosts was a Captain in the past and he was kind enough to explain to us a lot of information. Has Japanese, Azorean, and many more whaling related pieces. As well as a section dedicated to slave labor and African American and Native contributions.
Plan your trip to New Bedford
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in New Bedford
Side trips from New Bedford
Hidden gems in New Bedford
Museums in New Bedford
Nearby attractions in New Bedford
Trips in New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park by other users
10 days in Portsmouth
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge
Seapowet Marsh and Point Fishing Area
Portsmouth Historical Society
15 days in Boston
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Oak Grove Cemetery
Lizzie Borden House
Benefit Street
60 days in Falmouth
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Eight Cousins Bookshop
Spohr Gardens
Nobska Point Lighthouse
4 days in New Bedford
SEE PLAN
Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery
Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard
Lizzie Borden House
3 days in New Bedford
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Seamen's Bethel
Battleship Cove
5 days in Fall River
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Fall River Historical Society
Lizzie Borden House
Battleship Cove