New Bedford Whaling Museum

CONTACT:

18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-0046, x117
www.whalingmuseum.org

Anne Brengle, President

DESCRIPTION:

Established in 1903, the New Bedford Whaling Museum brings to life the rich history of American whaling and New Bedford’s role as the premier whaling port of the 19th century.

The museum, cornerstone of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, has a collection of over 200,000 objects, including the world’s largest ship model, displays of fine and decorative arts, and collections of cultural artifacts, rare antiquities, scrimshaw, and logbooks – spanning seven centuries. It offers the public the chance to view the skeletons of a blue whale (66 feet long!) and a sperm whale (48 feet long!), in addition to interactive exhibits. This world-renowned institution is also one of only 10% of museums nationwide, to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The Museum underwent a major expansion and renovation effort, thanks to a $12 million capital campaign completed in December 2000. It has also added the entire collection of the former Kendall Whaling Museum in Sharon, MA.

(2000: CULTURE: Education: Informal: Historic Preservation)