See the faces of 19th-century America in a new special exhibition opening Jan. 16, 2026. "Look Pleasant, Please: Early Portrait Photography in New Bedford," explores portrait photography in a growing and diverse coastal city. Images highlight the changing relationship between photographer and sitter in a complex urban economy. Featured works include one of the last […]
Proteanna: Susan Heideman is on view at the New Bedford Whaling Museum from May 29 through Nov. 1. The exhibition features large-scale mixed-media works by Heideman inspired by ocean life and imagined underwater forms. Combining watercolor, collage, and hand embroidery, the pieces create richly layered, textured compositions that blur the line between real and imagined […]
Summer activities run daily at the New Bedford Whaling Museum from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Activities are free with museum admission. Mondays: Revolutionary Moments Commemorate America's 250th anniversary on alternating Mondays: June 29, July 13 and 27, and Aug. 10 and 24. Tuesdays: Lagoda Days Explore above and below deck aboard the Lagoda whaling […]
“Sailors' Valentines: Maritime Art From the Heart” is on view through Nov. 8 at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Shell-covered keepsakes, known as sailors' valentines, have long been tied to maritime history. The exhibition traces the art form from its 19th-century origins to modern interpretations through historic pieces and contemporary works. Displays highlight the craftsmanship, […]
Melville in Our Seaport is a four-day literary and cultural festival showcasing Herman Melville and New Bedford’s connection to Moby-Dick. The event unites writers, historians, artists, and scholars. Together, they will explore Melville’s life, the city’s whaling history, and the novel's lasting impact. Attendees can join guided walking tours, author talks, and panel discussions. The […]
CUFFE: TAXED Film Premiere and Discussion begins on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Doors open at 5 p.m. Set during the American Revolution, the 14-minute film follows 19-year-old Paul Cuffe and his brother-in-law Michael Wainer as they sail through a British blockade to deliver food to Nantucket. The […]
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