The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling.
The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located in the heart of the city's historic downtown at 18 Johnny Cake Hill.
Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, admission is free for members and children under the age of 6, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (59+) and students with a valid ID, and $6 for children ages 6-14.
For a complete calendar of events and programs, visit the Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org.
New Bedford Benefits from Mass. Cultural Council
Cultural institutions across the state (and the country for that matter) depend greatly on outside sources for support, and recently, both the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Zeiterion Theatre became recipients of some wonderful news.
Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) announced that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) will award the Whaling Museum $617,000 in Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Funds. The Z was also given $22,500.
In the FY08 operating budget, the Massachusetts Legislature allocated $5 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund (MCFF). The goal of the fund is to provide a catalyst for economic development and to provide momentum to the state’s economy. The MCFF is jointly administered by the MCC and the Massachusetts Development finance agency. The agencies received more than $80 million in requests for more than 200 projects.
The project for the Whaling Museum is the establishment of a central exhibition, From Pursuit to Preservation, which will allow visitors to walk through a complete overview of the history of global whaling. The exhibition will touch on aspects of the story, including geography, economics, the natural world, biology, navigation, and mechanical sciences, to name a few.
The grant will also help to fund the restoration of the Museum’s nearly century-old Bourne Building, the original home of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society and the residence of the whaling bark Lagoda, the world’s largest ship model. The restoration began last year with exterior work, including the replacement of the Museum’s copper cupola with a brand new one (the old one had to be removed due to weather damage).
“This grant provides a critical element to the restoration of the Bourne Building and the establishment of a central exhibition,” said Anne Brengle, president of the Museum. “The exhibition will be a long-term addition to New Bedford’s cultural landscape, helping to build capacity for increased national and international audiences. We are very grateful to the MCFF for this opportunity to expand the scope and visibility of our institution and city.”
The New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Zeiterion Theatre have become magnets for commercial activity in New Bedford, and the MCFF grant has also pleased local leaders.
“Our efforts in downtown New Bedford are bearing fruit,” Montigny said. “By using state resources we have leveraged millions in private investment and the downtown has become an exciting arts and cultural center in the last decade. These institutions are at the center of our future.”
The Museum is currently raising money to begin the central exhibition project. This is part of the Navigating the World campaign.