New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

06/09/2026

This Thursday's AHA! New Bedford offering at the park!

Thank you New Bedford Creative for the assist!

The 2026 Artist in Residence program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is under way and this year's first artist, Zara Shahi, artist was just interviewed by Gilda Geist on All Things Considered - Local NPR for the Cape, Coast & Islands.

You can learn about how Zara approaches their work, their signature style, their current residency and how you can join them to learn how to weave in a hands-on workshop, by listening to the full interview here: https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2026-06-02/new-bedford-artist-in-residence-leads-community-weaving-project

Interested in joining the next workshop? Zara will be having their next hands-on weaving workshop during June AHA! Night's Pride Celebration. Free to the public, open to all skill levels and ages, and materials will be provided for you.

📍 Where: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St., NBMA 02740
🕰️ When: Thursday, June 11, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

We hope to see you there.

06/08/2026

Did you know that life on earth depends upon whales and their p**p? You may not want to contemplate the feculence of whales, but don’t poo-poo it. Whale excrement fertilizes the phytoplankton that provide 50% of the planet’s oxygen. And whales are efficient repositories for carbon capture, helping keep the planet healthy and in balance.

So, on this World Oceans Day, let’s celebrate whales. May these protectors of the planet live long and prosper so that we may as well.

Graphic courtesy of Sara Wolman

05/20/2026

Even the squirrels are lined up at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park for our walking tours.

From May 20 through October 11, visitors (squirrels welcome, too) can step into history with a free guided walking tour through Historic Downtown New Bedford. From courageous escapes on the Underground Railroad to the global reach of the whaling industry, each tour highlights a unique chapter of the city’s past. All tours begin at the Visitor Center at 33 William Street and are subject to change.

https://www.nps.gov/nebe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

05/13/2026

Thinking about visiting? Here’s how long things typically take at the park!

Many activities are available, and you can mix and match based on your schedule:

• Museum at the Visitor Center — about 1 hour
• Ranger/Volunteer guided program — about 1 hour starting May 20
• Ranger talk — about 45 minutes
• Documentary film — 22 minutes
• Self guided walk using the park map — about 1 hour
• Junior Ranger book — about 30 minutes

Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a full afternoon adventure, there’s something for everyone!

Typical visit ranges:
• Short visit (movie + museum): around 1.5 hours
• Medium visit (museum + self-guided walk + talk): about 3 hours
• Full experience (museum + program + movie + walk): 3.5–4 hours
• Junior Ranger book, add another ~30 minutes

05/06/2026

Seasonal Hours of Operation for Walking Tours and On-Site Interpretive Talks

We’re happy to announce that our broad range of seasonal interpretive programming begins Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Talk and Tour Schedule (Wednesday–Sunday):

• 10:30 a.m. –Walking Tour

• 1 p.m. – Interpretive Talk

• 2:30 p.m. –Walking Tour

Discover the stories, the people and the places that shaped New Bedford’s whaling past. Take a walking tour and ponder, “Did Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville know each other?” Learn about when and why women went out on whaleships. Dig deeper into the relationship between economics and immigration in a 19th century seaside village.

For details about each individual walking tour, please visit the link below:

https://www.nps.gov/nebe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

05/06/2026

The piercing squawks of seagulls may sound annoying to you, but, to the sailors who spent years at sea hunting whales, those screeches were the joyful sounds of land. At the port of New Bedford, the Herring Gulls’ shrieks welcomed them home. The loud calls of Great Black-backed gulls trumpeted the prospect of a great catch as whalers approached the Portuguese islands of the Azores. Even though the era of commercial whaling is over, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park remains a proud perch for our own resident Herring Gulls.

05/01/2026

Spring/Summer Hours of Operation for the Park’s Visitor Center

Beginning May 1, 2026, the visitor center will be open to the public Wednesday – Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm. The visitor center will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Stay tuned for our upcoming walking tours starting May 20. They will be offered twice a day – 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.

In addition, the visitor center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

02/25/2026

Due to inclement weather conditions, the Visitor Center is closed. For updates, please refer to our website or this page: www.nps.gov/nebe.

We urge you to prioritize your safety.

02/07/2026

Today's Opening Delayed Until 10 AM. Visit our website or this page: www.nps.gov/nebe for updates. Please prioritize your safety.