Freestone's City Grill
41 William St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-993-7477
Originally built for the Citizens National Bank, circa 1877, this building now houses a popular downtown eatery called Freestone's City Grill. The lower level of the building is encased in Sandstone blocks made from Longmeadow Freestone (hence the name of the restaurant). The Citizens National Bank name is carved into the stone above the front entrance.
The building was damaged by a fire in 1934, which destroyed the third floor. At the time was the home of the New Bedford Acushnet Cooperative Bank. It later became Haskel's, a restaurant and bar, where in 1951, there was a second fire that scorched several interior wooden pillars in what is now the main dining room. That damage is still visible. After Haskel's, it became the Pequod Lounge. Both Haskel's and The Pequod enjoyed "colorful" local reputations.
In 1978, the building was purchased by the current owners. During renovations, the new owners discovered much of the original mahogany woodwork hidden behind interior false walls and ceiling, and the original marble floors under asphalt tiles. After almost six months of renovations, the new owners restored the original woodwork and flooring as well as added many new interior features.
Local residents provided the new owners with several artifacts that were "rescued" from buildings that were demolished during New Bedford's Urban Renewal period. These included brass railing from the Olympia Theater and a pulpit from the Old North Congregational Church.
The Citizens National Bank building is located within The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, directly across the street from the Downtown Visitor Center/National Park Service Headquarters.
