Window Exhibits at the Whaling Museum Research Library

The New Bedford Whaling Museum welcomes over 100,000 visitors through its doors each year.  These guests are treated to ship models, whale skeletons, beautiful scrimshaw pieces, photographs, weaponry, household items and thousands of other objects that, together, tell the story of whaling in New Bedford. 

These sources are feasts for the eyes and provide a wonderful surface education on the global history of the whaling industry, but there is a great deal more to the Whaling Museum’s learning resources than what is on exhibition.  And one of the best places to learn about whaling is from the whalers themselves, from their logbooks and journals, which are stored at the Whaling Museum Research Library.

Located on Purchase Street in the heart of downtown New Bedford, some visitors to the Historic District may not even know it exists – but in the field of whaling research, the Library knows no equal.

The Whaling Museum Research Library is home to thousands of logbooks, journals, maps, and charts, photographs, books, journals, letters, and business records relating to the vast history of global whaling and the chronicle of the New Bedford region. 

There is, however, a great deal to enjoy about the Library without ever even entering.  Since its opening in 2002, the large front window of the building has been used for exhibits devoted to aspects of local history.

“These exhibits provide an enlightening, varied, and free look into New Bedford’s past,” said Librarian Michael Dyer.  “It’s another way that the Museum is reaching out to the community.”

The current exhibit is The Passion of Ahab, which displays 10 of 26 lithographs created by artist Benton M. Spruance that are intended to interpret, rather than simply illustrate Herman Melville’s classic Moby-Dick.  The exhibit is presented by the Melville Society Cultural Project.

Another recent exhibit, From Mindelo to Water Street, is the illustrated story of the Cape Verdean immigration to New Bedford, utilizing images from the Museum’s collections to detail their multifaceted journey.  The exhibition was created in collaboration with the National Park Service, UMass-Dartmouth, and Museum trustee Jim Lopes.

Other past window exhibits have showcased the depth and breadth of the Museum’s collections, such as a presentation of Norman Fortier photographs and a display of downtown New Bedford streetscapes.

“These exhibitions highlight the Museum to a downtown audience, increasing awareness of the overall richness of the collections,” said Madelyn Shaw, vice president for collections and exhibitions.  “Several future exhibitions will share components with the main Museum building – a different means for attracting interest and bringing new visitors to the Whaling Museum.”

Along with the exterior gallery, the Research Library’s Grimshaw-Gudewicz Reading Room has also been home to a number of small exhibitions that focus on more specific aspects of the collections.  In 2006, for example, the Library hosted Individual Status of Fijian Throwing Clubs, World War I Memorial Letters, The Encantadas (the Galapagos Islands), and Whaling Traditions at Taiji, Japan.  The Museum Research Library is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and the first weekend of every month.

New Bedford Whaling Museum

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.

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