New Bedford Tourist Attractions
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Located an hour south of Boston, New Bedford was the heart of the world's whaling industry in the 19th century. Workers in the numerous factories turned whale oil into candles and Whale bone into corset frames and umbrellas. It's said that in 1850, 80 per cent of the nation's whale ships sailed from New Bedford. The industry began to fail when oil was found in Pennsylvania and natural disasters wiped out a lot of the New Bedford fleet.Today, the town still maintains its maritime ties through fishing but manufacturing and tourism are more integral to the local economy.
New Bedford Fire Museum
The New Bedford Fire Museum is housed in Old Fire Station No. 4, the oldest active station in Massachusetts, built in 1867. Displays include a collection of antique and restored fire equipment, including fire trucks, fire alarm technology, uniforms and antique records.
Whaling Museum
The Whaling Museum offers permanent and changing displays on the history of whaling in America and documents New Bedford's role in the international whaling industry. There is a large scrimshaw collection, including a whalebone sleigh, a whaleboat, whale skeletons, displays on "Moby Dick" and a whaling film.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
The Buttonwood Park Zoo was established in 1894 and is home to domestic and exotic animals from around the world. The Zoo has a rare and minor domestic animal breeding program, and is involved in conservation and research projects involving endangered and threatened species.
Seamen's Bethel
The Seamen's Bethel, built between 1831 and 1832, became famous as the Whaleman's Chapel in Herman Melville's novel "Moby Dick". The Bethel features a house of prayer and a memorial to New Bedford whalemen and fishermen, who have lost their lives at sea. The main chapel of the Seamen's Bethel has 31 black-framed cenotaphs which bear the names of the deceased.
New England Steamship Foundation, SS NOBSKA (Closed)
The New England Steamship Foundation were in the process of restoring SS NOBSKA, a coastal steamship. The ship was in operation from 1925 to 1973 and was formerly called the "Nantucket", servicing New England ports and islands.The Friends of the Nobska were unable to raise the funds to finish the necessary work, and the Nobska was scrapped.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is a whaling port that celebrates a historic time in New Bedford through historic collections, archives and recounts of this fascinating time. The National Park features a whaling museum, merchant's home, and schooner's decks. A self-guided walking tour and video presentation are available.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House
The Rotch-Jones-Duff House is a Greek Revival style house, built in 1834. The house occupies a full city block with decorative arts displays, antique furniture, and is surrounded by gardens. The house was built for William Rotch Jr., a whaling merchant, whose personal belongings are also on display in the home. The gardens consist of a formal boxwood rose garden, a boxwood specimen garden, cutting garden and award winning Woodland Walk.
New Bedford Maritime Heritage Festival
New Bedford celebrates its role as the former whaling capital of the world each May during the Maritime Heritage Festival. The festival is held at the Whaling Museum and showcases maritime singers and performers.
Waterfront Historic Area
The Waterfront Historic District contains a variety of historical buildings dating from 1765 to 1831. The Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) has taken on the task of restoring and preserving many of the area buildings.
Surroundings
Fairhaven
Fairhaven grew and prospered from the whaling ships that frequented its docks. The town dates back to the days of the Pilgrims and was the location of the first naval battle of the American Revolution in May of 1775.
Mattapoisett
Mattapoisett, located on Buzzard's Bay, is a popular resort town. The town was once a major fishing area and at one time also sustained a whaling and shipbuilding industry. Today the town's economy is primarily based on agriculture and tourism.
Historical Society Museum and Carriage House
The Mattapoisett Museum is housed in a Meeting House built in 1821. The pews, pulpit and galleries have been restored and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits at the Mattapoisett Museum include whaling artifacts, scrimshaw, clothing and other antiques. Attached to this building is an old barn, known as the Carriage House, containing 19th century agricultural equipment, carpentry and cobbler tools, kitchen utensils, a weaving room and a model of an early salt works.
Children's Museum (closed), South Dartmouth
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.The museum offers hands-on educational exhibits in a variety of fields. Also located on the 60 acre grounds are hiking trails and picnic areas.
Acushnet
Acushnet is located in southeastern Massachusetts at the headwaters of the Acushnet River. Each fall the town hosts an Apple/Peach Festival highlighting growers and artisans.
Long Plain Museum
Housed in the 1875 Long Plain School House, the Long Plain Museum displays a "Whaling Wall" featuring Acushnet whaling captains, a Blacksmith Shop diorama, an 1875 schoolroom, clothing, and a 4-room, furnished 19th C. apartment.
Quaker Museum
The Quaker Museum is housed in the 1759 Long Plain Meetinghouse and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
