New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park!

What Is New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park?

This park preserves 12 buildings and a ship dating back to when New Bedford, Massachusetts was known as “The City That Lit the World!”

What Makes It Historical?

New Bedford owes its maritime fame to the might of the British Navy! The city (f.k.a. Old Dartmouth, f.k.a. Accushnet) was a small whaling village, overshadowed by the island of Nantucket up until the Revolutionary War! New Bedford’s deep harbor and attachment to the mainland made it easier to recover after years of British blockades, and so by 1820, it started its ascent to becoming not just the whaling capital, but also the richest city in America per capita by 1857!

Whaling voyages from New Bedford would spend up to four years at sea, killing northern right and sperm whales for their oil, which was burned for lighting and used for cosmetics. This oil could be processed ashore in buildings like the Rodman Candleworks, the money passing through the Double Bank, half serving tradesfolk and half serving business owners! The Custom House here in New Bedford was also super important because it not only registered ships and crews but also issued Protection Certificates to sailors so they could prove their citizenship at sea!

New Bedford features prominently in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick as the place where Ishmael meets Queequeg, and the two begin their doomed adventure, spending time in the Seaman’s Bethel before embarking! A center for abolition, New Bedford also jump-started the careers of mariner, Paul Cuffe, and newly freed Frederick Douglass!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Volunteer at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park!
Donate to The New Bedford Port Society!
Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!